Local news and opinion reaching the communities of nosara, samarA and Nicoya
Log in |
Return to homepage
home regional community sports entertainment surf nature health en Espa�ol English
     
Archives
December 09
January 2010
February 2010
Water Edition
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 10
October 10
November 10
December 10
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 11
October 11
November 11
December 11
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
September 12
October 12
November 12
December 12
January 13
February 13
March 13
April 13
May 13
 
Media
Partners
  El Pais
  Inside Costa Rica
  Costa Spirit
  Q Costa Rica
  Today Costa Rica
  El Sabanero
connect
FaceBook
Twitter
 
CLASSIFIEDS
 
community
  Nosara Animal Care
   
  Nosara Info
   
Esquelita de Nosara
  Friends of Nosara
   
  Nosara Civic Association
  Nosara
Wildlife

The Power of Student Choice

By M.Ed. Claudia Saucy

 

Recent brain research shows that the part of the brain that governs decision-making, doesn’t finish developing completely until the age of 25.  

The very last part of the brain to be pruned and shaped to its adult dimensions is the prefrontal cortex, home of the so-called executive functions — planning, setting priorities, organizing thoughts, suppressing impulses, weighing the consequences of one's actions. In other words, the   final part of the brain to grow up is the part capable of deciding, I'll finish my homework and take   out the garbage, and then I'll IM my friends about seeing a movie. (Wallis, 2008)

Due to this research, there is much debate over how much conscious control students have over their actions. Some believe it is the perfect explanation that justifies their teenager’s unusual behavior; others think it is a good reason to focus in on them more. Making up for what their brain still lacks, adults can provide structure, help adolescents organize their time, and especially guide them to make conscious choices.

Any school that aims at forming responsible adults, who, in the future, can make positive changes in the world, is faced with the task of teaching students decision-making skills. The best way to get students used to making decisions is by maximizing their experiences with choice and negotiation, as well as teaching them techniques to pause, reflect and evaluate themselves regularly.

Although it is not realistic to think that students at a young age can make all their decisions by themselves, a healthy educational environment will provide student choice within reasonable limits from the very beginning and on a daily basis.

 

Maybe students cannot choose the curriculum, but they can be given the choice of how they want to go about studying a particular unit, or how they wish to present the information they have learned. Given a number of books to read, students might choose the order in which they want to read them, if they want to read them alone, with a partner or in a small group.

At home, children can be given choices, too. Start with simple ones that don’t have grave consequences, and gradually increment the degree of responsibility. Most and foremost, help them reflect on their choices, evaluate the consequences, and develop better criteria for making decisions next time.

Once children get used to the idea that they have choices and realize how they are making decisions on their own all the time, this gives them a sense of control. Feeling empowered lessens feelings of boredom, helplessness and even depression. It gives them greater self-esteem and leads them towards more responsible behavior.

Ultimately, when something is not right, they won’t blame others. Instead, by exercising their decision-making powers they will actively get down to the business of making positive changes.

 

More Health News

Medication Do's and Dont's

Taking a pill when your head hurts, a couple more when you are suffering from heartburn or recommending a certain medication to someone just because "it worked wonders" for you. If this sounds all too familiar you may be one of those people who practice one (or all) of these habits and therefore might be interested in learning about the do's and don’ts when it comes to medications. More >

Healthy Living
Keys to a Successful Cleanse

It seems like cleanses are all the rage these days and are being advertised abundantly. Whether it’s a celebrity promoting a specific cleansing product on tv, or a neighbor who is raving about a recent cleanse and is now is running 5 miles a day and looking quite radiant, it’s hard to avoid this popular topic. More >

 

 

Contact us: NOSARA [email protected] / PUBLICITY and ADVERTISING [email protected]
Copyright 2012© The Voice of Nosara