Decision-Making Tree

Explicit decision-making frameworks give children tools to pause, think, and choose wisely instead of acting impulsively or without ethical consideration.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Introduce the Decision-Making Tree: 'Every day we make lots of choices. Some are easy—like what to eat for snack. But some are harder—like what to do when someone is mean to us. The Decision-Making Tree helps us think through tough choices!'

Teach the tree structure:

1. STOP - Pause before acting

2. THINK - What are my choices? What might happen with each choice?

3. CONSIDER - How will this affect me? How will it affect others? Is it fair? Is it kind? Is it safe?

4. CHOOSE - Pick the best option

5. REFLECT - How did it go? What would I do differently?

Walk through the tree with a scenario: 'You see someone being teased.' At each branch, explore options and consequences. There may be multiple good paths!

Practise with varied scenarios: finding something that doesn't belong to you, being invited to do something you know is wrong, seeing someone cheat, being pressured by friends. Use the tree for each.

Create decision journals where children record real choices they make using the tree. Review and discuss: 'How did the tree help you? What was hard about using it?'

Reference the tree in real situations: 'This seems like a Decision Tree moment. What are your choices?'

Educator tip

Initially, walk through the tree with children in the moment. Gradually release responsibility: 'What would the Decision Tree say about this?' Eventually: 'Use your Decision Tree.'

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Observe use of decision-making framework, quality of consequence consideration, and independent application to real situations.

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