The seven habits are a great way to move through life. When we implement the
seven habits at work and home we are changing our way of life. The reasoning
behind the seven habits is research-based and it helps people to center
themselves to pick out what is important and urgent and what is not so urgent
and important.
The seven habits of healthy kids helps our children become leaders to prepare
them for the real world. A great way to get the message across to kids is to
incorporate the language of the habits into their everyday life. The seven habits
have seven ways to live a better, healthier life. These are our seven habits:
Be Proactive-you’re in charge; Begin with the End in Mind-Have a plan and a
goal; Put first things first-Work comes before play; Think Win-Win-we want
everyone to win and feel good about a group decision; Seek First to Understand,
then Be Understood-Listen before you talk; Synergize-Work together to make a
transformation; Sharpen the Saw-Balance is Best.
Ways to incorporate and practice the seven habits are very easy to find and do.
When you are being proactive you are in charge of your own decisions. This
goes with how we would like to be responsible community and digital citizens.
When we practice good habits and good choices, we become more responsible
citizens and think of ways to communicate to other people. A scenario for
being proactive would be choosing to eat that small package of carrots or an
apple for an after-school snack instead of choosing that cupcake or bag of
chips. When we eat a balanced snack or meal, we have energy that is going to
last longer than the unbalanced snack or meal.
When a person is begins with the end in mind, it means we have a goal. We
know where we are going to start and where we want to end up. A goal could
be as simple as short term as learning to tie your shoe and long term like
getting excellent grades to get a scholarship to a good college. When we have
goals, it helps us focus on the big picture.
If we put first things first, it means we want to make sure we do our homework
or finish up a project for our career before we do something that is pleasurable
or relaxing. A good example of this is to do your homework or study for that
spelling test before you call your friend to go play; get to the next level of a
video game; or even read the new Rick Riordan novel you have been eyeing.
Putting first things first allows us to prioritize the big things in life and have a
plan for those little things that are will inevitably come up throughout our life.
When we think Win-Win-it means everyone listens to the other person and finds
the strengths in their suggestion. When we put everyone’s strengths together it
is going to change our world. Don’t believe me? You might want to take a look
at an event in history called the Civil Rights Movement. The people who
stepped up and used a community of strengths got our United States
Constitution to add an amendment for equal opportunity for everyone in the
United States not just a small group of people. Look at how we elect our
President. Everyone who is eighteen years and older has a voice as to how we
want our country to be run.
The most amazing thing about Seeking First to Understand then be Understood
is that when you listen before you talk, so many things start to make sense. A
prime example of Seek First to Understand, then Be Understood is when you
listen to someone the first time, you can actually move on to the next step and
work together to make an amazing transformation. This brings us to our next
habit.
When we Synergize, it is not just about working together, but working together
to make a transformation of how we look at things. It is a paradigm shift—a
new way of thinking. For example, there is a country in the world that has not
had a war in over 200 years and there is no religious discord, and everyone
works together for the “greater good” They are not interested in pursuing their
own agendas. They are interested in pursuing an agenda for all the people in
the country. Interested in this country—come and talk to me later, I can tell
you all about it.
One of the most important habits that we have is Sharpening the Saw. When we
sharpen the saw we are balancing everything in our life. We balance making
healthy choices such as eating a well-balanced meal and getting plenty of
exercise. It also helps us balance our “me” time which is very important to
everyone’s health and well-being. A good example of Sharpening the Saw is
going on a bike ride, spending quality time with your family, and also giving to
someone in the community who may not have the same advantages you have
been given. When we Sharpen the Saw, we feel good inside and out.
To help our kids learn about the seven habits there are some great characters
who do their best to practice the seven habits of healthy kids.
Goob the Bear is the biggest kid in 7 Oaks—but he is also very friendly. He
loves the outdoors and all kinds of bugs. Ants are his favorite bugs 1
Jumper Rabbit loves to play sports. He loves soccer, tennis, baseball,
basketball, biking, swimming, and jumping—you name it. He also loves
sneakers and owns all different kinds.2
Covey, Sean. Ilustrator, Stacy Curtis. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Simon and Schuster Books
for Young Readers. New York, New York, 2008. Franklin Covey. p. 10
1
Covey, Sean. Ilustrator, Stacy Curtis. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Simon and Schuster Books
for Young Readers. New York, New York, 2008. Franklin Covey. p. 10
2
Lily Skunk is very crafty. She loves art. Lilly spends most of her time drawing
and painting and making all kinds of things. She loves her little brother Stink.3
Sammy Squirrel has liked playing with gadgets and fixing things from the day
he was born. You will never spot him without a tool or two. Sammy and his
twin sister Sophie, live in a tree house, as all squirrels do.4
Sophie Squirrel is Sammy’s twin sister. Her very favorite thing to do in the
world is read. She also loves math. Sometimes she uses really big words that
she has to all her friends.5
Pokey Porcupine has lots of pointy quills that show what kind of mood he is in.
When Pokey is sad, the quills are droopy. When he is excited, they stand
straight up. Pokey is really laid back. He likes to lie around in his hammock all
day and play his harmonica.6
Tagalong Allie is a mouse. Allie likes to tag along with everyone in the gang,
especially her best friend, Lily Skunk. Allie lives with her granny and loves to
dress up in Granny’s shoes and jewelry.7
Ernie the Worm is very shy so you have to read the book in which these
characters are featured and look for him.8
Every teacher in school has a copy of this book and it is featured prominently
in their classroom. Each story is a way that the 7 Oaks kids are learning to live
the seven habits of happy kids. So next time you are looking for a good story,
think about the seven habits. These are a great way to go through life.
Covey, Sean. Ilustrator, Stacy Curtis. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Simon
for Young Readers. New York, New York, 2008. Franklin Covey. p. 10
4
Covey, Sean. Ilustrator, Stacy Curtis. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Simon
for Young Readers. New York, New York, 2008. Franklin Covey. p. 10
5
Covey, Sean. Ilustrator, Stacy Curtis. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Simon
for Young Readers. New York, New York, 2008. Franklin Covey. p. 11
6
Covey, Sean. Ilustrator, Stacy Curtis. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Simon
for Young Readers. New York, New York, 2008. Franklin Covey. p. 11
7
Covey, Sean. Ilustrator, Stacy Curtis. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Simon
for Young Readers. New York, New York, 2008. Franklin Covey. p. 11
8
Covey, Sean. Ilustrator, Stacy Curtis. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. Simon
for Young Readers. New York, New York, 2008. Franklin Covey. p. 10
3
and Schuster Books
and Schuster Books
and Schuster Books
and Schuster Books
and Schuster Books
and Schuster Books