Good decision making is an essential skill for life.
Make intelligent and timely decisions and you’re
on the road to success, but a string of poor and
ill considered decisions can leave you struggling
to get back on track.
Decision making and problem solving are closely
linked. For both it is necessary to work out the
likely consequences for any course of action, identify
and weigh-up pros and cons, evaluate evidence, consider
alternatives and choose and implement the best course
of action. Identifying opportunities becomes part
of this process – it may be that a brilliant
opportunity is spotted when a ‘problem’ is
being solved. To be able to develop and implement
these skills independently through an enterprise
activity will build a child’s confidence in
their own abilities and judgement.
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The outcome of their efforts was evident at the
school’s Christmas Fair. In the weeks running
up to the event each class had been asked to produce
something to sell at the fair. They loaned a small
budget and formed companies, applying for positions
and identifying their strength and weaknesses. When
they started production they identified problems
and adapted their work flow appropriately. One company
was making teddy bears, but it was becoming tedious
and time consuming for the children to do all the
sewing. One child suggested they made Do-it-Yourself
kits to sell, as everyone agreed it had been fun
to make one. So they packaged the components and
wrote instructions for assembling them and marketed ‘DIY
Bear’ kits.
The morning of the fair parents were greeted at
the doors by ‘promoters’ from different
companies handing out leaflets, and there were posters
everywhere advertising different products. The
children were in charge behind the stalls, shouting
their wares and enticing customers to come and take
a closer look. Products were flying off the stalls
and all the time the children were making decisions
about what needed doing next. Every class knew exactly
how much they needed to make and when they were in
profit.
As time went on, children knocked down prices for
gifts that weren’t selling as fast. A six-foot
dad was trying buy some 50p note books from one little
girl. He was asking for 2 for 1. But the little
girl checked the clock on the wall and saw she still
had half an hour selling time (so didn’t need
to give her products away), and offered him 3 for
2. He agreed and they shook hands. The little girl
was running this stall with a couple of friends and
the nearest teacher was 15 feet away. The confidence
and canny negotiating displayed in that moment could
only have been developed in an atmosphere where she
was regularly given the opportunity to make decisions
and had the self belief to do so without the re-assurance
of a teacher.
The key to success at Anston Park is that enterprise
is seen as an approach as well as an explicit activity.
The philosophy of fostering independence, encouraging
decision making and nurturing self reliance has permeated
all classrooms and activities. Teachers are enthusiastic
about developing children’s capabilities and
inspiring their sense of self belief. Teacher Pam
Hosie said: “Our children are always identifying
problems and opportunities, making decisions and
taking responsibility; it is actively encouraged.”
