Making Smart Choices: The ABCs of Responsible Decision Making
- Nov 27, 2023
- 2 min read
We have arrived at the final topic in the discussion of SEL and its competencies. Today’s topic will be about Responsible Decision Making and why each child should be able to make positive choices. Please continue reading to discover ways children can enhance their skills in responsible decision-making.
WHY RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING SKILLS IS IMPORTANT?
According to Psychology Today, people make approximately 35,000 choices in a day. Options can range from small, like what to wear or eat, to big decisions, like choosing a college or accepting a job offer. Making decisions can be stressful, so it is essential to have social-emotional skills to handle them effectively. Developing these skills helps prevent hasty decisions and their potential negative consequences. Responsible decision-making also impacts time management, relationships, and overall well-being.
STRATEGIES TO HELP CHILDREN LEARN RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING SKILLS:
According to Dr. Catlin Tucker in https://catlintucker.com/ there are five strategies we can apply to help children learn responsible decision-making skills:
Co-construct Classroom Agreements (for teachers). Once the class has outlined a set of agreements, document these behavioral expectations and display them for easy reference.
Collaborate to Create a Clear Path of Consequences. Unclear consequences can lead to unnecessary power struggles in the classroom. To enable students to assess potential outcomes before making decisions, it's crucial to have a precise path of consequences.
Use the Urgent vs. Important Matrix to Guide Decision Making. Developing the skill to distinguish between what is essential and what is urgent is vital for students in managing their time and focusing their energy.
Frayer-style Well-being Analysis. Often, students may overlook the impact of their choices on themselves and others. It is important for students reflecting on their role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being.
Find the detailed explanation and example of these strategies in this link below: https://catlintucker.com/2022/08/sel-responsible-decisions/
Thank you for your enthusiastic engagement with our SEL articles. It brings us great joy to share insights about SEL that align with our practices in Learning Support. Your interest and support contribute significantly to our mission of promoting social and emotional learning. Written by: Ibu Tania (Learning Support Teacher – taniamanalu@sph.ac.id)
