Are You Branksome Hall Asia Families? Then, Kelso’s Choice!

 

By Dr. Yeojin Ahn
JS Social Counselor

As we have started the school year, I hope you have had a chance to hear about Kelso’s Choice from your children. If by chance you have not, I definitely need to work harder at reminding the students to discuss things with their parents!  For this month’s newsletter, I’d like to briefly introduce Kelso’s Choice. If you are wondering who or what Kelso is, Kelso is a frog that helps children learn about choices to solve problems. All Junior School students learn Kelso’s Choice. Why do we teach using Kelso’s frog? Because it brings us a common language to use.  When children learn Kelso’s Choice in a classroom and know how to use it well, it makes a powerful tool for them to use not only now but for the rest of their lives.

Do you know the difference between small and big problems?

Small problems are things that make children feel sad, angry, or upset. In these situations, children try to solve the problems on their own. How? By using 2 of Kelso’s Choices before asking for adult help.  Kelso’s Choice empowers children by helping them understand that they are smart enough and strong enough to solve small problems themselves. Big problems must always be taken to an adult and usually arise in situations where students feel scary, and or dangerous.

Kelso’s Choice Wheel

Kelso offers 9 choices to solve small problems. Children are guided to pick 2 options for dealing with small problems. At home, please use the Kelso’s Choice Wheel as much as possible. How many times does your child call you out just for minor problems? (If I had known about Kelso’s Choice earlier, it would have been a lifesaver!)  You can offer them to try 2 choices before involving you in small problems.

I’d love to talk about Kelso’s Choice in more detail with any Branksome Hall Asia parents who are interested and I am available for any questions. Please contact me via email at yeojinahn@branksome.asia.