As students grow older, they begin to make more of their own decisions. Making smart decisions can make their lives easier and help them avoid trouble. While there are numerous small decisions made every day, such as what to eat or wear, we are focusing on more difficult decisions that involve our feelings, others’ feelings, and understanding right from wrong. These decisions require time and careful thinking. Examples include choosing friends and knowing how to behave at school and home. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy-to-implement activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators teach students in Special Education the principles of smart decision-making.

No-Prep Activity: The Decision Tree

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be easily adapted to any age group. The goal is to help students practice smart decision-making by considering different options and predicting outcomes.

1. Ask students to think of a difficult decision they have faced or might face in the future.
2. Have students draw a tree trunk, representing the decision they need to make.
3. Ask students to draw branches extending from the trunk, each representing a different option or choice they could make in response to the situation.
4. For each branch, have students draw smaller branches or leaves that represent the potential outcomes or consequences of that choice.
5. Discuss each student’s decision tree, focusing on the thought process and the predicted outcomes of each option.

This activity encourages students to think about their options, consider the consequences, and make informed decisions based on their predictions.

Discussion Questions

Use these discussion questions to stimulate further conversation about smart decision-making:

1. What are some examples of difficult decisions you have faced recently? How did you handle them?
2. How can you tell the difference between a small decision and a more difficult or important decision?
3. What strategies can you use to make sure you are considering all of your options before making a decision?
4. How can you resist peer pressure when making decisions?
5. Why is it important to think about the consequences of our choices before we make a decision?

Related Skills

Beyond the decision-making process, there are other skills that can help students navigate difficult situations and make smart choices. These include:

• Problem-solving: Developing the ability to identify problems and find potential solutions.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can help students consider how their decisions may affect those around them.
• Self-awareness: Recognizing one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses, which can influence decision-making.
• Communication: Effectively expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas to others, which can help in resolving conflicts and making collaborative decisions.

Next Steps

Teaching smart decision-making skills to students in Special Education is an essential aspect of their social-emotional learning. By incorporating these principles into your classroom, you can help students develop the ability to make informed decisions that positively impact their lives. To access free sample materials related to smart decision-making and other essential skills, visit Everyday Speech’s Sample Materials and sign up today.