Sandbox Education is great site for picking up strategies to help children when you are feeling a little stuck. An example is this one on ‘Strategies for Teaching Children to Make Good Choices’. As with any information for parents and carers there will be some ideas which appeal and others which you would choose to cast to the wind.

Choice is a big part of people’s lives. We decide daily what to wear, what to do, and how to treat people.  Teaching children how to make good choices is critical for independence and self-control.  This article focuses on a variety of strategies for teaching choice making. 

1. Allow Children to Make Choices - Often it is easier to choose for children than allow them to decide for themselves. Unfortunately, lessons learned by making good and bad choices help children become responsible, independent adults.  Choice also gives children a sense of ownership in activities.  Take time to offer choices, create situations for choice, and reinforce the importance of good choices in your day. 

2. Limit Choices - Keep the number and types of choices within reasonable limits. For example, if you let a child pick a snack, give them two or so healthy choices. By providing only allowable choices you reduce opportunities for conflict and create a situation where they succeed at making a good choice. 

3. Discuss Options – When faced with decisions, think through and discuss the options to help children understand why one choice is better than another. Discuss possible choices, consequences, and why one option is better. 

4. Consider Other People – When decisions involve other people, discuss the implications of the choice for the other people.  For example, if a child wants to use the climbing equipment for the duration of recess discuss: Have other people asked if they can have a go? Are other children waiting? How would you feel if you didn’t have a chance? Are there other places you can play for part of recess? This helps children realize their choices affect people other than themselves. 

6. Use Past Choices as Opportunities – When a child makes a choice that upsets someone else e.g. such as cutting in line or saying something hurtful, use the opportunity to discuss consequences of this choice, and better choices for the future. Ask the child what other choices they could have made and what may have happened. Additionally, use past decisions and consequences as reminders. 

7. Praise Good Choices – When children make good decisions let them know what they did and why it was a good choice. For example, “Jason, I like the way you moved over to make room for Ella in line. It was nice of you to share the space. That was a very good choice.” 

8. State When There Is No Choice – Some situations such as safety and schedules have no choices. Holding hands crossing the street, participating in fire drills, and leaving on time for school are examples of times when there is no choice. Explain why these situations do not have choices and why all people must follow certain rules and schedules. Let children know if there is an aspect of the event that is their choice. For example, “We have to leave now, but you can carry your blue or red book bag” – age appropriate of course. 

Veronica Harris
Wellbeing Officer