Making Choices----From Pre-School to Adulthood
Posted: Saturday, October 18, 2008
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
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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More commentsI enjoyed this article. I have a 9 year old and a 14 year old (both girls) and as much as I have tried to instill in both of them, it seems that the 14 year old is oblivious to the "good choices" scenerio, but maybe one day it will kick in to gear. Hopefully before it is too late. I will just have to continue to pray and teach.Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Freida. And good luck with your teenager.Sandra
Great article. I was going to write something longer but this stupid computer ate it up after I had just finished. I HATE technology when it doesn't work. Anyway, great insights, and I love that your so cloes to your grandchildren. The mainstay of any education of merit, moral / ethical, resides in the family. Unfortunatley, our kids don't get to see their grandparents or extended families because they live on opposit coast or distant shore. Keep up the good writing, Comment Queen II (Yes, Teresa still reigns) Peace!Thanks, Jeff. And Peace be with you, too.Sandra
hi sandra,what a wonderful article.i nominate you for President!thanks for sharing,my best regards,sueThanks for the support, Sue.Have a good day.Sandra
Good article, Sandra, about choices and how they can affect us throughout life. It rings so true. I can look back at choices I've made, good and bad, and see their impact.Thanks, Lorrie. Glad you enjoyed the article.Best wishes.Sandra
I wish I could give you a 10 on Inspiration, but the scale only goes up to 5.This is an article that made me think of the "basics" in life and the things that were common sense, which unfortunately are not so common anymore.I cherish our elders for their wisdom. I thank you for yours which helps me stay grounded in what my parents taught me.Bless you.DaughterNatureThanks so much, DaughterNature, glad you enjoyed the article.Have a wonderful day.Sandra
that was a very nice article especially the one on 'teens and teen choices'.Thanks so much, Tonye, for reading and commenting.And welcome to SearchWarp.Sandra
Enjoyed the article, I am new to searchwarp and want to take a look around before I comment to deeply.Thanks for reading and commenting, James B. Welcome to SearchWarp and feel free to browse.Best Wishes.Sandra
I enjoyed reading this article. We need to send the message to our children that they are responsible for the choices they make. Great job!Thanks so much, Holly, for reading and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the article.Welcome to SearchWarp and best wishes.Sandra
Very nice article. You are a very talented writer.Phyllis D.Thanks for reading and commenting, Phyllis. Glad you enjoyed.Sandra
I loved this article. Well written and shows concern for the teaching that our children are getting in the schools and at home.Thanks for writing.Jim M.Thanks so much, Jim. I'm glad you liked the article.Sandra
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