Lesson 2 - I Make Decisions with an Open Mind

1. Identify the three categories of decision-makers

2. State the significance of being open-minded in making decisions

The learners are able to:

1. Enumerate the steps in making good decisions using open-mindedness

2. Display open-mindedness and good decision-making skills in a given situation

One of the most important skills children must develop is the ability to make careful decisions with an open mind. They are sometimes confused when faced with difficult choices to choose from in making sound decisions.

Open-mindedness comes hand in hand with decision making.

Before they decide, children should not believe everything they hear or see from television, Internet, or from other people. They should first analyze the facts and evaluate if they are true or not. They should be able to create and make their own opinions about everything instead of relying on ideas presented to them.

How can you be an open-minded person?

1. Speak kindly of others and respect their viewpoints.

2. Accept the differences of people like their nationalities, color, and religion.

3. Always discuss the positive qualities, strengths, talents, and contributions of the members of the family and other people.

4. When conflict arises, consider and understand the behavior of those who are involved.

5. Listen carefully to the person when he or she expresses his or her beliefs.

6. Expose yourself to reading books, visiting museums, and activities that appreciate Mother Nature.

7. Make decisions on the basis of evidence rather than prejudice or bias.

Children who are open-minded are considered independent thinkers and thoughtful decision-makers.

Every day, people make different decisions. There are decisions or

choices which are not easy, especially when the person is pressured or under

stress. Open-mindedness, truthfulness, and consultation with parents should

be practiced in order to make a wise and sound decision.

When a person is faced with difficulty in making his or her decisions,

the following steps may be followed:

1. Choose a decision based on your own values and beliefs.

Know what is right and wrong. Do not compromise your

principles and integrity. Listen to your conscience and inner

beliefs, and then act according to your will.

2. Know and understand what and why you picked that choice.

Being determined and confident in achieving your goal will

keep you in the right track and will make you move forward with

ease.

3. Listen to your instincts and trust yourself.

There are times when physical signs like headaches,

abdominal pains, and other delays will happen. Emotional signs

like feelings of worry, confusion, uncertainty, and restlessness will

serve as clues in your ability in decision making.

4. Cast away doubts and worries.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the decision

or choice. Seek advice from parents and people you trust.

5. Make an action plan.

Look at facts and information you have at the moment and

trust your ability in decision making and successfully move

forward.

6. Seek for support.

There are people, like your parents, teachers, and elders,

who have the same hopes and dreams as you do. You can listen to

them and ask for their advice and assistance.

If in case you made a poor decision due to unimagined and

unavoidable circumstances, do not be discouraged but learn to

move on and try again.

VOCABULARY

consequence – effect

Some children struggle in making the right choices with an open mind.

A choice may have a corresponding consequence that can be good or bad.

There are choices that might affect your family, friends, and others. The more

choices children can think and create, the less likely they are to make

impulsive and wrong decisions.

Some ways of making decisions that we often hear are:

1. Everybody’s doing it, so I can do it, too.

2. My mother told me to do it.

3. That is my normal or usual way of solving and making decisions.

Some decisions are made for us by others.

1. Parents – decide on what school their kids will attend

2. School – decides on the rules and regulations for the entire school

3. Community – decides on the laws to be followed by its constituents

The five steps in making good decisions with an open mind are:

1. Identify or define the problem.

Example: Pupils always show improper behavior when the teacher

is not around.

2. Explore or decide on the choices or options.

Examples: To solve the problem or come up with possible

solutions:

a. Talk to the pupils.

b. Give the necessary consequences to pupils who are misbehaving.

3. Understand consequences or gather information.

Examples:

a. Parents will be called for a meeting with the teacher or the school

principal.

b. Get a grade deduction in conduct.

c. Understand the pupil and tell him or her not to do it again.

4. Make a decision or consider the outcome.

Example: Give pupils another chance to change.

5. Evaluate and learn from the decision.

Example: After the decision was made, the pupils started to show proper behavior even if the teacher is not around.

ENGLISH - The learners are able to use their communication skills.

Group task - Kindly go to your respective groups.

1. Your group will show open-mindedness and decision- making skills by sharing your opinion or view on a given topic.

2. Each member is given 2 minutes to organize his or her thoughts.

3. Discussion begins with each pupil having 3 minutes of uninterrupted time to speak.

4. During this time, no one is allowed to say anything but respect the views or opinions of the speaker.

5. Each member will choose to speak on any of the given topics and explain why that topic was chosen.

Topics to discuss:

a. Review for the scheduled monthly test or do the chore assigned to me by my mother.

b. Watch my favorite television show or do an assignment.

c. Practice my computational skills in Mathematics or play computer games with my friends.