Life is all about making choices and the choices that we make in life during our formative years can have lasting effects on how well we do at making choices and decisions later on in our lives. I was intrigued when I first saw a report sheet from a local pre-school about ‘making choices'. It is great when children are taught, very young, about making good choices on a daily basis.
Early Choices:
Every day my young grandson brings home his pre-school grade sheet. If he had a good day, he has "Made Good Choices Today" in the evaluation section of his sheet. Otherwise, there may be a note such as "One time-out today for throwing rocks on the playground"-thankfully this doesn't happen too often. When he has these comments, his mother and dad have a serious ‘heart-to-heart' with him over the issue.
When children do well and make good choices, parents should be profuse with praise and hugs. Children need and look for this type of reinforcement to accomplishments outside the home. Learning to share can be one very important ‘good choice' for pre-school children-especially when these children are an ‘only child'. Sharing toys at home is not something an only child is exposed to very often, so early learning in a school environment is imperative. Sharing, saying "please" and "thank you", talking instead of shouting are just a few of the ‘good choices' that are taught to these pre-schoolers.
Throwing rocks may be fun and living in the country as we do, my grandson could throw rocks without any fear of injuring a playmate. However, his education against rock throwing was well received by himself and his parents. He learned that it was not a good choice and now quickly tells anyone who will listen that ‘rock throwing is a bad choice.'
Pre-Teen and Teen Choices:
As teens and pre-teens our children are faced with ever-growing choices spurred on by peer pressure. Dating, cigarettes, clothes, piercing, makeup for girls, and even friends are areas that can mean times of extreme concern to our kids. All kids want to be popular and sometimes the pressure of ‘fitting in' can be more than some kids can handle at such an impressionable age. Trying times such as these can bring on bouts of depression, bulimia, and nervous conditions. When kids become uncomfortable with who they are and confused about what society expects of them, cases of lying, shoplifting, attempted suicide, rebellion, and run aways becomes the norm.
A strong background of training in making good choices at a younger age could well make a tremendous improvement in a child's personality and behavior as they come into their teenage years. Learning how to cope with teenage problems can be a foreshadow of the choices that the child will make as an adult. Children should begin to learn at a very young-or pre-school-age to make good choices. An exceptional teacher is one who can channel these little boundless resources of energy into compassionate, well-rounded, future adults.
Adult Choices:
As adults our choices can have far-reaching effects on everyone around us. We all want to make good choices for our children and other members of our families. The bad choices that we make as adults can break apart relationships, marriages, family and friends, and can cause rifts between parents and their children. Children, most especially teenagers, may be going through some of the toughest times in their lives and what they learn from their parents will have great significance as to how well they will handle situations that they will most certainly face in their own lives.
Choices that we make in our careers can also have great bearing on how successful we are at what we do. Our superiors quite often use what they learn about us by the choices we make on the job to evaluate us for promotions, bonuses, or raises. Choices that we make on handling our money can have far-reaching consequences on our financial situations.
As Americans we all know that we have a choice about who we want to be our chief Executive Officer. On November 4, 2008 when we all go to the polls, we will exercise our right to make a choice-good or bad-it will be our time for ‘Making Choices'. If we choose not to vote, we can't blame anyone but ourselves for who we get.
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Sandra E. Graham, author, AMOS JAKEY and NICOLINA published by American Book Publishing. I also write book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures. Visit my website for more information on my books that are in print now and reviews I have written.
http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com
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