In January, we will be talking about the importance of making good choices. All kids have to make decisions, and as they get older their decisions can get more difficult. It is important to teach children good decision making skills at an early age.
Author Gia Miller gives the following suggestions:
-You can model decision-making by thinking out loud when you’re weighing options.
-Questions children can ask themselves include: What are all the options? What are the pros and cons of each? How will the decision impact others?
-Once you trust your child with a decision, let them do it themselves. It will help them build skills and self-confidence.
-Tweens and teens will have bigger decisions to make. These may require negotiation and compromise. Even so, you shouldn’t always jump in if you see your child making a bad decision. Children often learn best from their mistakes. If it’s a safe situation, it may be good for them to let them make the bad decision.
-When they do make mistakes, help them learn by staying calm and not placing blame. If they regret their choice, support them while they feel the difficult emotions and think about what they would do differently next time.
This month, Mrs. Ross will be reading “What Should Danny Do – School Day?” by Ganit and Adir Levy to grades K-2, and “What Do You Do With a Chance?” by Kobi Yamada.
