Habits:

Habit 1: Be Proactive I am a responsible person.  I take initiative. I choose my actions and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking. I have a “Can Do” attitude.

Habit 2: Begin With The End in Mind I plan ahead and set goals.  I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision, and look for ways to be a good citizen.

Habit 3: Put First Things First I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan.  I am disciplined and organized.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I want everyone to be a success. I don’t have to put others down to get what I want. It makes me happy to see other people happy. I like to do nice things for others. When a conflict arrives, I help brainstorm a solution. We all can win!

Habit 5: Seek First To Understand, Then Be Understood I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints. I listen to others without interrupting. I am confident in voicing my ideas.  I look people in the eyes when talking.

Habit 6: Synergize I value other people’s strengths and learn from them.  I get along well with others, even people who are different than me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by “two heads are better than one”. I am a better person when I let other people into my life.

Habit 7: Sharpen The Saw I take care of my body be eating right, exercising, and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I take time to find meaningful ways to help others.

Bringing It Home

* Read and discuss The 7 Habits of Happy Kids.

* Use the language , i.e. “How could you be proactive in this situation?”

* Consider which habit your child is strong in. Which are weaknesses? Discuss and set goals.

* Talk about your strengths and weaknesses. Verbalize when a habit is used.

* Make a family mission statement. (Begin with the end in mind.)

* Model, i.e. Write out agendas and to-do lists. (Put first things first.)

Check out these websites to learn more about the 7 Habits

http://www.seancovey.com/kids.html  (Interactive, Coloring pages, and a Preview of the book too!)

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4457341n (Video of Stephen Covey discussing the book)

http://www.abaresources.com/pdf/thesevenhabits.pdf (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Parents Raising Children with Special Needs by Sharon Gabison)

http://www.theleaderinme.org/ (Great Leader in Me website)