How can you tell they’ve got it: Trying a New Approach?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: When stuck on a problem, try a completely different approach rather than repeating the same method — e.g. drawing a picture instead of writing equations; Describe a time they changed strategy mid-task and explain why the new approach worked better; Accept that their first idea might not work and show willingness to start over with a fresh plan. Or just try it together: If your child tries one way to solve a problem and it isn't working, do they try a different approach rather than just repeating the same thing?

Learning to Learn Ages 7–8

Trying a New Approach

Your child tries a different way when the first one is not working. They might draw a picture instead of writing sums.

In curriculum terms

When your first approach isn't working, try a different one — being flexible about strategies is part of being a good learner

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

When stuck on a problem, try a completely different approach rather than repeating the same method — e.g. drawing a picture instead of writing equations
Describe a time they changed strategy mid-task and explain why the new approach worked better
Accept that their first idea might not work and show willingness to start over with a fresh plan

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Try this together

If your child tries one way to solve a problem and it isn't working, do they try a different approach rather than just repeating the same thing?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Feeling of not understandingages 6–7Strategy switching is triggered by noticing the current approach isn't working — requires comprehension monitoring

Planning a Taskages 6–7Switching strategy requires first having made a plan — you can only switch away from something you chose deliberately

Trying a New Approachthis skill · ages 7–8

Unlocks

Learning from Mistakesages 8–9Error analysis requires the habit of trying different approaches — you need to have tried something before you can analyse what went wrong

Choosing a Strategyages 9–10Evaluating a strategy requires having deliberately chosen and tried different strategies — you need the switching habit first

Multi-Step Problem Solvingages 7–8Trying a different mathematical strategy when stuck is the maths-specific application of the universal strategy-switching habit

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill aligns to ACARA’s General Capabilities rather than a learning-area code.

Nearby on the map

Connecting New & Old Ideasages 7–8 Spotting Patternsages 7–8 Teaching It Backages 7–8 Describing Rules & Patternsages 8–9

All Learning to Learn skills →