It is estimated that the average person makes close to one million decisions in their lifetime! That’s a lot of decisions. As we get older, we are faced with bigger, more complex decisions. This includes decisions that involve: our relationships with others, our future, and issues about right versus wrong. With practice, we can learn how to make this process less of a struggle, even when we are faced with difficult decisions. Making good decisions often seems easier said than done. We usually want to do the right thing, but how do we really know what is right or what is best? In this blog post, we will discuss effective decision-making strategies for educators working with students in Special Education, and engage in a no-prep activity.

Introduction

Decision-making is a crucial skill for students in Special Education. It empowers them to navigate various situations and make choices that align with their values and goals. By teaching students strategies for effective decision-making, we can help them become more confident and independent individuals. In this blog post, we will discuss the following strategies:

• Stop and Think
• Think of Options
• Avoid Peer Pressure

No-Prep Activity: The Decision-Making Role Play

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. It is designed to help students practice decision-making skills in a safe and supportive environment. Follow these steps:

1. Divide students into small groups of 3-4 members.
2. Present a scenario to each group, such as the one provided in the prompt: “One of your best friends starts stealing things when you go to stores. You don’t want to tell on them, but you don’t want to be involved in stealing.”
3. Ask students to take turns playing different roles in the scenario, including the friend who is stealing, the student who is faced with the decision, and any other relevant characters.
4. Encourage students to use the decision-making strategies discussed in this blog post, such as stopping and thinking, considering options, and avoiding peer pressure.
5. After each role play, facilitate a group discussion about the decisions made and the strategies used.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to stimulate further discussions about decision-making strategies:

1. How did the decision-making strategies help you in the role play activity? Which strategy was the most helpful?
2. Can you think of a situation in your life where you had to make a difficult decision? How did you handle it?
3. How can we support our friends or classmates when they are faced with tough decisions? What role can we play in their decision-making process?
4. How can we recognize when we are being influenced by peer pressure? What are some ways to resist it?
5. Why is it important to consider the consequences of our decisions, both short-term and long-term?

Related Skills

Beyond decision-making, there are other relevant skills that are essential for students in Special Education. These include:

• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Self-awareness
• Goal-setting
• Emotion regulation

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about effective decision-making strategies and engaged in a no-prep activity, it’s time to put these skills into practice. To further support your students’ growth in decision-making and other essential skills, sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with additional tools and materials to help your students develop their decision-making abilities and become more confident, independent individuals.