Giving Children Reasonable and Limited Choices
Most children are not born with a built-in ability to make decisions and then to accept the consequences. Learning to take responsibility for actions requires lots of support and practice. A child that is not taught how to make choices may struggle as an adult taking responsibilty for one's actions. A good way to help your child develop these skills is to offer limited, reasonable choices throughout the day.
Giving a child a "choice" is easier than it seems. All it requires is for you to make a conscious effort and to be aware of the opportunities that are available in everyday situations.
- French fries, mashed potatoes, or tater tots?
- What do you want to wear today?
- Stay up for 30 minutes or go to bed?
- Red shirt or blue shirt?
- Sit on couch or in bean bag?
- Play Legos or puzzles?
Giving children the opportunities to make choices while they are small will help them later on in life be able to make choices between right and wrong.
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