The Power of Choice for Children

As a toddler, your child likely had very few choices with their daily lives. They begin to understand the concept of choice during the “no” phase, but they don’t really get to experience the power of choice until they are in school, where they are asked to make many personal decisions. This can be overwhelming at first, but the power of choice will help your child grow into a confident, capable adult one day. 

A Step On My Own

People are traditionally group-oriented, but it is easy to become too reliant on others. Having the ability to choose early in childhood helps independence. As children grow and develop, many aspects of their lives are chosen for them, from the clothes they wear, to the food they eat. This lack of choice helps in providing the necessary structure a child needs. However, allowing that same child to have a steady stream of choices empowers them to think for themselves. They can begin to see the world as a series of choices, and that whatever they pick matters and is special to them.

This One is Mine

Choice allows a child to get a sense of ownership and responsibility. By giving them the opportunity to think critically and take hold of their choice, they feel more connected. No longer are they wearing the Spider-Man shirt because mom picked it out, but instead they are wearing it because they chose it. They are wearing the shirt because they thought about it and made the choice. Now, if someone at school tells them that they like the shirt, that compliment is for the child and not mom. This ownership complex is the building blocks of critical thinking, choice weight and many other high level concepts that will serve the child over the years.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

As adults, we make choices nearly every moment of every day. When to sleep, what to eat, what to wear, how to relax, etc. The prospect of a choice for adults is so much more simple than for a child. A child is starved for the opportunity to make a choice. By empowering them at an early age, a child is better equipped to handle the onslaught of choices that they will face in the future. Analysis paralysis is a very real concern when a child has not been given enough choice in their lives. Repetition is the key to making someone feel confident and comfortable in many aspects of life. The choices made today by children will greatly help them make even more choices tomorrow. 

At The Super Scientist, we encourage children to make choices not only for themselves, but decisions in the learning process. By asking the right questions and nurturing their ability to think, they are able to thrive in the later school environment. To learn more about our program and classes, contact our office today!