how to teach kids to think things through

"There are some things you learn best in calm,

 and some in storm."

~Willa Cather

We have all acted impulsively at times. Many times if we had taken the time to think things through we wouldn't find ourselves in a bad situation. Acting impulsively 'for the good' takes a bit of thought sometimes.
It is said that it takes 21 days to truly form a habit. Concentrating and focusing in on what we really wish to accomplish can take less than a month with the right guidance. Sometimes even sooner!
Learning how to brain-STORM is an excellent teaching tool for older kids as well as adults!

Teaching Kids How to think things through with brain-STORM:

S= Sit. Take a time to quietly relax and clear your head. You can even say,

"I need to think about this a minute".
T= Think. Think of all possible situations that could happen and what would be your choices.
O= Organize. Write a list of your thoughts and put a happy face next to your best choices on the list. The best choices have the best consequences.
R= Rethink. Think again about the choices you put a happy face next to. Are there any other choices you can make? Are the consequences realistic?
M= Make your best choice. Congratulations! After you have thought things through you have reasons for your decision.

Ending up with good consequences to our actions is our goal!