Think!

Think!

I saw that word written on a poster hanging in a classroom.  It made me think about the number of times we say that word during the course of a day.  Let's see if we can list some of them.

*Come on! Think!

*I'll think about that.

*I can't think anymore.

*Why didn't you think before you acted?

*You never think of the consequences.

*Go think about what you just did.

*Did you honestly think that was the best choice?

*Think before you speak!

* I think you are one special person.

And so on.

We use that word many times a day.  Think is a verb.  It is an active voice verb.  An invisible action is taking place when we think.  Actually, there might be some visible signs we are thinking.  Our faces may frown a bit.  We may look into the distance.  We may walk away to be alone for a moment.

If another person tells us they will think about something we have shared, we trust they will actually do that work.  And it is work to think.  We have to clear our minds and concentrate on one specific thing.

Our actions are a result of our thinking--or lack of it.  Sometimes we act and then think.  The result of this behavior may place us in a bit of hot water.  We must spend time teaching our children the value of thinking before acting.  One of the best ways to teach our children this skill is to model it for them.  They need to see adults working through choices.  They must be taught to look at all sides of issues before making a final choice.  This requires deep thinking.  Adults must reward children when they show signs of thinking before acting.

There is a catch to telling children to think about something they said or did.  They may not possess the skills to know how to think about their actions.  Adults need to provide direction for them.  Maybe they used a word that is unacceptable.  Talk about the word and why it is not acceptable.  Ask the child to think about how they might select another, better word.  This gives them something to actually think about.  The same applies to behaviors.  What other choices were available?  How might they have made a different decision?  What other behavior could they have chosen?

Adults don't always practice what they preach.  Trust me.  Kids watch.  They imitate.  If we want them to think, we must show them how we engage in thinking.  We must allow them to see us struggle with decisions.

That poster made me think.  It made me wish for do-overs when my thinking was flawed.  It reminded me that I can live a better life by giving a little thought to my words and actions.  

Now I think it is time to end this!  Happy thinking!