Parent Page

If you’re a parent whose school uses Kelso’s Choice, you can learn about the program on these pages.

First, congratulations! We love hearing about school districts and counselors who choose to invest in a peaceful school environment by implementing Kelso’s Choice. Kelso has been beloved since it was first developed by a school counselor and a school psychologist decades ago as a simple and effective way to teach kids how to solve small conflicts.

The program’s success begins with its simplicity. Kids as young as preschool (and even those who aren’t strong readers yet) can benefit from learning Kelso’s Choices. The program puts power in kids’ hands to be problem solvers and gives everyone at school a shared language to help kids get along.

How? It’s simple! First, using the tools the program provides, counselors and teachers show kids the difference between a big problem and a little problem. Once kids know that difference, Kelso’s Choice offers them a variety of tools to solve small problems.

And learning those tools is fun! There are plush puppets, a storybook, bright posters and lots of activities kids will do to learn the skills. You can rest easy your child will come to consider Kelso a trusted friend… and will learn valuable skills that will be useful for a lifetime.

Letter to Parents in Spanish – Carta Introductoria a los Padres en español

Kelso’s Choice wheel

Kelso the frog teaches students how to solve “small” problems on their own. “Small” problems include conflicts that cause “small” feelings of annoyance, embarrassment, boredom, etc. “BIG problems” always need to be taken to an adult. These are situations that are scary, dangerous, illegal, etc.

Kelso has nine choices to solve “small problems.” These are illustrated in the Kelso’s Choice Wheel. They include:

  • Go to another game
  • Talk it out
  • Share and take turns
  • Ignore it
  • Walk away
  • Tell them to stop
  • Apologize
  • Make a deal
  • Wait and cool off

When a child comes to you to solve their “small problem,” tell them to try one to two of Kelso’s Choices first. If that doesn’t work, then an adult can intervene. Make sure your kids know to ask an adult for help in the event of a “BIG problem.”

 

K.C.’s wheel

K.C.’s Wheel is for the preteens (grades 4-5) that may be a little too mature for Kelso’s Choice Wheel. There are “minor problems” that cause minor feelings of annoyance, embarrassment, boredom, etc. There are also “SERIOUS problems” that need to be taken to an adult. These are situations that are scary, dangerous, illegal, etc.

There are eight choices to solve “minor problems.” The choice “share and take turns” has been removed since, typically, at grades 4-5 this skill has been developed. There are “verbal choices” and “nonverbal choices” to solve “minor problems”:

verbal choices:

  • Make a Deal
  • Tell them to stop
  • Apologize
  • Talk it out

nonverbal choices:

  • Wait and cool off
  • Walk away
  • Go to another game
  • Ignore it

Want to bring more Kelso material into the home? The very best resource for families is the Kelso’s Choice for Families Kit, a kit made…well…just for families!

Want even more? We’ve got board and card games, posters, activity book, story book and more! Visit our Product page or email us at customerservice@kelsoschoice.com.

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Did you know?

Parents can decrease sibling rivalry and conflict at home with the Kelso’s Choice for Families Kit!

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