Who doesn't want their students to be happy, both in school and as individuals? These 7 Habits are great starting points for conversations with your students!
The 7 Habits of Happy Kids- based on the book, The Leader in Me
by Stephen Covey
Habit 1 — Be Proactive
You're in Charge
I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, 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.
Students will:
1. Develop motivation; take pride in work.
2. Act responsibly towards self, family, school, community,
nation, and the world.
3. Show initiative and entrepreneurialism.
4. Use unique talents and abilities to full potential.
5. Think about choices; be accountable and responsible for actions and results, and understand that choices affect others.
You're in Charge
I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, 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.
Students will:
1. Develop motivation; take pride in work.
2. Act responsibly towards self, family, school, community,
nation, and the world.
3. Show initiative and entrepreneurialism.
4. Use unique talents and abilities to full potential.
5. Think about choices; be accountable and responsible for actions and results, and understand that choices affect others.
Habit 2 — Begin with the End in Mind
Have a Plan
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. I look for ways to be a good citizen.
Students will:
1. Use critical thinking to organize information.
2. Develop the intrapersonal skills of self-confidence and self-management.
3. Use creative and entrepreneurial thinking to solve problems. 4. Develop the ability to set goals and to follow through.
5. Develop strong oral and written communication
skills.
Have a Plan
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. I look for ways to be a good citizen.
Students will:
1. Use critical thinking to organize information.
2. Develop the intrapersonal skills of self-confidence and self-management.
3. Use creative and entrepreneurial thinking to solve problems. 4. Develop the ability to set goals and to follow through.
5. Develop strong oral and written communication
skills.
Habit 3 — Put First Things First
Work First, Then Play
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.
Students will:
1. Demonstrate time-management skills.
2. Cultivate a strong work ethic, flexibility, and adaptability.
3. Develop intrapersonal skills of self-management.
4. Be accountable and responsible for actions and results.
5. Begin to cultivate analytical skills.
Work First, Then Play
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.
Students will:
1. Demonstrate time-management skills.
2. Cultivate a strong work ethic, flexibility, and adaptability.
3. Develop intrapersonal skills of self-management.
4. Be accountable and responsible for actions and results.
5. Begin to cultivate analytical skills.
Habit 4 — Think Win-Win
Everyone Can Win
I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.
Students Will:
1. Use unique talents and abilities to the fullest.
2. Develop flexibility and adaptability.
3. Be open-minded and nonjudgmental when considering the views of others.
4. Demonstrate attentive listening skills.
5. Cultivate a spirit of cooperation to live in an inter-dependent community and world.
Everyone Can Win
I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.
Students Will:
1. Use unique talents and abilities to the fullest.
2. Develop flexibility and adaptability.
3. Be open-minded and nonjudgmental when considering the views of others.
4. Demonstrate attentive listening skills.
5. Cultivate a spirit of cooperation to live in an inter-dependent community and world.
Habit 5 — Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Listen Before You Talk
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.
Students Will:
1. Demonstrate attentive listening skills to build and maintain healthy relationships
2. Cultivate good social and communication skills.
3. Show compassion towards others, share, and put others first.
4. Appreciate different relationships.
5. Learn to relate to people who are alike as well as different, and work effectively in group settings.
Listen Before You Talk
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.
Students Will:
1. Demonstrate attentive listening skills to build and maintain healthy relationships
2. Cultivate good social and communication skills.
3. Show compassion towards others, share, and put others first.
4. Appreciate different relationships.
5. Learn to relate to people who are alike as well as different, and work effectively in group settings.
Habit 6 — Synergize
Together Is Better
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 teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble.
Students Will:
1. Express and present information and ideas others' talents and abilities.
2. Use unique talents and abilities to the fullest; value clearly in oral, visual, and written forms.
3. Cultivate the ability to inspire, motivate, and draw out the best in others.
4. Communicate and work as a team in a multicultural and interdependent world.
5. Show initiative and entrepreneurialism.
Together Is Better
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 teaming with others we can create better solutions than anyone of us can alone. I am humble.
Students Will:
1. Express and present information and ideas others' talents and abilities.
2. Use unique talents and abilities to the fullest; value clearly in oral, visual, and written forms.
3. Cultivate the ability to inspire, motivate, and draw out the best in others.
4. Communicate and work as a team in a multicultural and interdependent world.
5. Show initiative and entrepreneurialism.
Habit 7 — Sharpen The Saw
Balance Feels Best
I take care of my body by 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 find meaningful ways to help others.
Students Will:
1. Demonstrate healthy ways to express needs,
2. Develop strong intrapersonal skills; self-reliance, self-confidence, and self-discipline.
3. Demonstrate characteristics of a responsible friend and family member.
4. Recognize relationship between personal behavior and wants, and feelings.
5. Strive to be healthy for life.
Balance Feels Best
I take care of my body by 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 find meaningful ways to help others.
Students Will:
1. Demonstrate healthy ways to express needs,
2. Develop strong intrapersonal skills; self-reliance, self-confidence, and self-discipline.
3. Demonstrate characteristics of a responsible friend and family member.
4. Recognize relationship between personal behavior and wants, and feelings.
5. Strive to be healthy for life.