Life Choices

Teachers, parents and carers worry that the decisions that children and young people make might be unwise or dangerous. Decision making is a skill involving both a cognitive and an affective process. It is an ability to: recognize the thoughts and feelings; consider the consequences; and choose the best outcome. Decision making is a highly valued facility leading to resilience, achievement and responsibility. The skill can be taught and here the authors provide all the materials needed to teach a course on decision making to adolescents. The programme provides a menu of stories related to the real life experiences of the young people. Topics are selected to be age appropriate and include: stealing; lying; social behaviours; risks; justice; loss, grief and bereavement; prejudice; first love; disability; leaving home; and family relationships. The teacher notes indicate 'stopping points' where reflection and discussion is encouraged. A choice of endings is offered or the young people can develop their own ideas about what might happen next.