In a preschool classroom, Bethany suddenly grabs a block from the middle of Christopher's castle, causing it to fall. To best prevent a similar event in the future, Bethany's teacher should help Bethany learn which problem-solving skill?

• A. Initiative
• B. Persistence
• C. Decision making
• D. Negotiation

Answer: (C)

Thinking before acting helps children control impulses and solve problems in social play. The skill of decision making involves recognizing a situation, weighing possible actions, predicting outcomes, and choosing the best option. In Bethany’s case, learning to decide what to do instead of grabbing a block—such as pausing, asking for a turn, waiting, or finding a safe way to participate—directly prevents similar disruptions by guiding her to an appropriate choice in the moment. This approach addresses impulse control and helps her anticipate how her actions affect others, which is key in a collaborative play setting.

Initiative focuses on starting activities, which alone doesn’t ensure thoughtful actions. Persistence is about sticking with tasks, not about choosing between actions in the moment. Negotiation can help with sharing and resolving conflicts, but without decision making, Bethany might not consistently choose the safest or most appropriate option on the spot.