As parents, we hold the key to shaping our children’s future, and one of the most crucial abilities we can instil in them is how to make a good decision. Empowering children with the skills to make thoughtful choices will set them on a path of independence, responsibility and success. Armed with some clever strategies, you should be able to help your children of any age develop their decision-making skills, encouraging them to be responsible and have confidence in themselves.
TODDLERS
The toddler years mark the beginning of a child’s journey towards being able to make sound choices. It might seem a little soon for such a big concept, but it’s actually beneficial to sow the seeds of independence as early as possible. Here are some approaches you can try:
Real world decision-making
Even at this tender age, toddlers are capable of making small choices. Try to offer your little one age-appropriate options. This could mean choosing between two different toys, two bedtime stories or two different ‘tidy-up’ tasks. Although these decisions may seem trivial, they teach toddlers that their opinions matter, whilst the act of choosing will build their confidence.
Avoid criticism
It’s essential to create a safe environment for toddlers to explore and learn from their decisions. Fear of failure or of making a mistake could hold your child back, especially later in life. Supporting kids in learning from their mistakes will actually grant them really valuable life experience, protecting children from making mistakes often takes that opportunity to learn away.
If your little one makes a choice that results in a small consequence, like pouring too much water into a glass and spilling it, resist the urge to criticise. Instead, encourage them to clean up the mess and explain the importance of being careful next time.
Controlled choices
It can be useful to give your toddler controlled choices, so they can practise decision-making without getting overwhelmed. For example, you could offer them two outfits to choose from for the day or ask if they prefer apple slices or grapes for a snack.
