American Red Cross Health and Safety Services

 

Health & Safety Tips
Decision-Making Skills for Young People

Making thoughtful decisions is one of the building blocks of becoming a leader. Whether you're babysitting, preparing to become a lifeguard, or just hanging out with friends, it's important to think about the consequences of your decisions before you make them. Use the FIND decision-making model to help you decide what to do.

Step 1: Figure out the problem.

  • What do you have to decide?
  • Make sure you focus on the exact problem that is causing trouble.
Step 2: Identify solutions.
  • What are your choices?
  • Think about all the possible ways you could solve the problem.
Step 3: Name the pros and cons of each choice.
  • Think about the pros and cons of each way to solve the problem.
Step 4: Decide which is the best choice, then act on it.
  • Decide which is the best solution.
The ability to make good decisions takes a lot of practice. The Red Cross has programs specially designed to help young people develop and practice decision-making skills. Contact your local Red Cross chapter to learn more about Babysitter's Training, GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow, The Party, Basic HIV/AIDS Program: Prevention Skills, Act SMART, and Don't Forget Sherrie.