Stop, Think, Choose, Do.Make Good Consequences Happen for you

Stop. Think. Choose. Do! Make Good Consequences Happen for You!

Simple! Easy! Fun! That is the Stop. Think. Choose.  Do! approach to teaching children to get in front of their problem behaviors by linking consequences to actions

Most parents approach teaching about consequences backward – after the bad deed is done. In the aftermath of their child’s naughtiness, parents first lecture about poor judgment, criticize the negative behaviors, and, then, use an unrelated consequence – really a punishment – to drive home their point. The only problem with this approach is that is does not work.

The Stop. Think. Choose. Do! approach puts your child in the driver seat teaching how he or she can interrupt impulsive actions, manage emotions (self-soothing), and consider options before doing. As children progress though the book – whether reading by themselves or having the book read to them – they have an opportunity to rehearse the self-soothing, thinking and choosing behaviors.

Stop. Think. Choose. Do! would be appropriate for children ages three to nine. It would be useful in a school classroom, in a counseling situation, or in the home. The message here sets children up for success. Even adults may find it a helpful reminder that we all need to slow down and think about what we want to happen, and, then, choose to respond rather than react when our children challenge us.