CHOICES
FOR KIDS
Most kids most of the time make what can be called OK choices. But all kids
make some choices that are seen as OD (in the sense of the words overdone or an
overdose). Some kids seem to make OD choices far too much of the time, and some
make horrendous choices now and then -- as several recent tragedies suggest.
You can help kids build character and develop fundamental patterns of
choices that both you AND they appreciate better by exploring with them how they
might STOP, THINK, and CHOOSE in more effective ways.
Why do kids need STOP-THINK-CHOOSE?
Most kids see themselves as powerless, believing that all the choices in
their lives are made by adults. Certainly, questions like whether or not they
will attend school, which school they will go to, what contact they will have
with their relatives, and where their family lives are not up to them. Many
kids take in those realities and dismiss the hundreds or thousands of
opportunities they have every day to make positive interactive- and
self-choices.
The STOP-THINK-CHOOSE program helps children understand how they make
choices and improve their range of choices. The program is based on the
concepts of Choice Awareness,
a systematic way of viewing choices and seeing how people of all ages might
make them more effectively. STOP-THINK-CHOOSE introduces five CREST Choices,
Caring, Ruling, Enjoying, Sorrowing, and Thinking/Working, and promotes skill
development in the use of those choices.
Currently, the STOP-THINK-CHOOSE program for kids consists of four novels,
each containing a Choice Awareness supplement designed to promote better
choosing in fundamental ways. The two novels for elementary school-aged
children are entitled IN THE
LAND OF CHOICE and THE
MAGIC OF CHOICE. The two novels for middle schoolers are entitled THE INCIDENT AT CRYSTAL LAKE
and TRAVIS AND TRISH.
All four of these novels and the activities and key concepts they present
may be explored by parents, teachers, or counselors with children in groups, or
with individual children. Alternatively, the middle school novels may be read
and the choice-making skills explored by good readers on their own.
To get a deeper sense of what STOP-THINK-CHOOSE is all about, please review
the List of Publications,
peruse the Choice Awareness
concepts, and explore the five CREST Choices. Then click on Ordering Information to
obtain copies of THE LAND OF
CHOICE, THE MAGIC OF CHOICE,
THE INCIDENT AT CRYSTAL LAKE
and/or TRAVIS AND TRISH so
you can help kids grow in choice-making skills.
Note that two other titles in the List of Publications -- Choice Awareness: An
innovative guidance process and Working with adolescents:
Building effective communication and choice-making skills -- explore the
concepts of Choice Awareness and offer suggestions for developing the key
concepts with young people, while the other books in the List of Publications should
help parents and others develop their own choice-making skills.
SEMINARS: Dick Nelson
is available to conduct seminars for parents and school personnel on the
STOP-THINK-CHOOSE Program and the fundamentals of Choice Awareness. You can
make an e-mail contact via LET'S TALK, or
write to him at STOP-THINK-CHOOSE, P. O. Box 2272, West Lafayette, IN 47806.
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Page maintained by Dick Nelson. Last updated September 8, 2010