Click the ► in the top right of the "Place Order box" for a preview.
We all want our children to grow up to be confident, self-directed adults with clear goals and preferences in their mind. Developing this sense of initiative and control over their own lives begins early in childhood. Parents who give children choices early in their lives are planting the seeds of confidence and self-direction. Giving choices teaches children that their preferences are important and that they can be in charge of the world around them. This is called an internal locus of control. Children who do not experience choices and whose preferences are ignored tend toward an external locus of control. They may internalize a belief that their experiences are controlled by powerful others in their life or by chance.
Parents can begin to give a child choices very early. "Would you like toast or cereal?" "Do you want to wear the green shirt or the blue shirt?" Notice that it is important to keep the universe of choices small. Too many choices can overwhelm a child.
Lyrics
Chorus
It's up to me. I choose, it's up to me
It's up to me. I choose, it's up to me
What to wear, what to do, what to feel, what to be
I choose, it's up to me
What to wear, what to wear, what wear
Red or yellow or pink or blue
To make a choice I think it through
I use my voice, I make my choice
What's it gonna be? It's up to me
What to do, what to do, what to do
A book or a puzzle or glitter or glue
To make a choice I think it through
I use my voice, I make my choice
What's it gonna be? It's up to me
Repeat chorus
How I feel, how I feel, how I feel
How can I show my feelings to you?
To make a choice I think it through
I use my voice, I make my choice
What's it gonna be? It's up to me
What to be, what to be, what to be
What could be my dream come true?
To make a choice I think it through
I use my voice, I make my choice
What's it gonna be? It's up to me
Repeat chorus
Parent Tips
- An advantage of giving a child choices is that it pre-empts the oppositional tendencies. Two and three-year-olds love to say, "No." It gives them power. However, it also can quickly degenerate to a battle of wills with their parent. Giving a child choices dodges this oppositional dilemma.
It is important to give children choices very early in life and keep the universe of choices small.
This song is part of our Songs of Confidence series, which consist of the following twelve song titles:
I've Got Two
I Can Do It
I'm Gonna Find a Way
Let's Play
Butterfly, Bumblebee
I Can Write Any Song I Want
I am a Rubber Band
It's Up to Me
L-I-G-H-T
Slow Groove
Something Beautiful
Up the Mountain
This song is available in the following formats:
- Download this song in MP3 format
- Download all 12 Songs of Confidence songs
- Receive the CD via Mail (shipping/handling charges apply)
