Life Skills Education Toolkit

LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA 3•

Session One: What Influences

Our Decisions

Objectives

At the end of the session the children will:

• Understand that each person has a unique
  pattern of behavior which adapts to different
  situations;


• Learn that determining the risk in any situation
  is the key to safe behavior; and


• Understand that children can choose and are
  responsible for their behavior in any situation.

Key Points

If we understand ourselves and our responses to
situations, we are better able to control our
responses. Some children may be more prone to
taking risks than others. When those decisions do
not work out well at times, we begin to blame
others. If by chance they work out well, we feel that
taking risks is okay with us (risks can have serious
consequences). Children need to understand that
they can decide how to respond to confusing
situations that do not have simple answers. They

may have to learn to respond to such situations in

a different manner.

Good decision-making helps children to think

through the possible consequences of their

decisions. Girls often do not have a supportive

environment to make independent decisions.

Even if adults set the rules, children have a choice to

follow or not. They need to assess if their behavior is

best for themselves and make the right choices.

Life Skills Learned

Critical thinking, self awareness, creative thinking

and decision-making

Time Required

30 to 45 minutes for each activity

Materials

Chart paper, cards and markers