Responsible Decision Making

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) fosters the ability to make positive choices about how we behave. On this page of the SEL Toolkit, we link to tools and resources for professionals who seek to strengthen young people's decision-making skills.

Promote Problem-Solving Thinking

There are many simple ways to infuse problem-solving thinking and reflection into program activities:

• Articulate differences and connections
   
• Identify emotions behind actions
   
• Brainstorm different approaches or solutions to a task
   
• Explore possible consequences
   
• Model and articulate decision-making process
   
• Reflect on past experiences
   
• Evaluate actions - did they meet the goal?
   
• Simulate or role play a task

Thinking Child

Cognitive psychologist Myrna B. Shure describes her approach to teaching children how to think about solving problems.

Web Page

5 Problem-Solving Activities for the Classroom

The five activities shared here by Resilient Educator can also be used outside the classroom.

Activities

Teach Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Skills

Decision Education Foundation

The Decision Education Foundation provides an array of resources for teaching decision making to youth.

Educational Resources

Decision-making and Problem-solving: Class Activity

This activity from Climate Schools in Australia includes a useful worksheet to help a young person think through a decision.

Activity

The 5 Best Decision Making Activities for Middle School

In this blog post, education consultant Bri Stauffer highlights tried and true activities that help middle school students learn how to make good decisions.

Activities

Edutopia: The Benefits of Teaching Ethical Dilemmas

Introducing ethical dilemmas in the classroom can open up opportunities not only for debate and critical thinking, but also for personal growth, empathy for other viewpoints, and self-reflection.

Article

Reflective Group Conversation

This worksheet can be used to guide critical thinking within a group.

Worksheet

SWOT Analysis

This worksheet can be used in a discussion of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Worksheet

Use Media Literacy as a Teaching Strategy for Critical Thinking

Media Education Foundation

The Media Education Foundation offers educational videos on gender, health, race, and commercialism, as well as discussion guides promoting media literacy and critical thinking skills for all ages.

Website

Discussion Guides

Adolescent Development Toolkit: Teens and Media

ACT for Youth links to media literacy and digital citizenship resources in this section of the Adolescent Development Toolkit.

Resources