How to Teach Children to Make a Decision

Everyone must make a responsible decision throughout their daily routine. Some decisions are easy while others are more difficult. With that in mind many children find decision making even for simple decisions to be difficult because they do not follow through the whole decision making process. You should teach children to make a decision and give them opportunities to make decisions for themselves. Below are the steps children should go through when they make a decision.

Things You'll Need

• Child
• Options

Instructions

1. 

   1. Aware:
   Children need to be aware that they are about to make a decision. Sometimes kids don't even realize they have made a decision or that there is a decision to be made. Make sure you point out that there is a decision and that they are on step one of making a decision.

2. 

   Possibilities:

   When teaching children to make a decision it is important for them to think about all the possibilities. Some decisions will only have two possibilities while others will have several. You should teach your children to look at every possible option when making a decision.

3. 

   Consequences:

   When teaching children to make decisions it is important for them to take into consideration of each of the consequences for every possible option. Your child should think through the complete decision including the consequences. Every decision will have a consequence either good or bad and they all must be taken into consideration when make a decision.

4. Consider Values:

   You should teach your child to weigh the possibilities and consequences against your families beliefs and values. If there are possible solutions to a decision that is not something your family would normally take part in than that may not be a valid possibility. Any possible decision should focus on the family standards that have been established and those should always be taken into consideration.

5. 

   Recognize:

   While you teach children to make a decision you should also take the time to recognize them when they make a good decision. This is very important so children will know they are on the right track. If you child makes a bad decision you should let the consequences play out and then discuss the consequences and what they could of done differently.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child makes a decision that could be harmful you should try to guide them so they do not harm themselves but don't take away the full power of the decision. Simply explain that is really not a valid possible solution to the decision because of your family values. Many children will take this constructive guidance if you still allow them to finish with the decision making process with other possible solutions.