In Sean Covey's book titled, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, he uses eight different characters in his book to teach children the important values and principles discussed in his father's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Let's meet these characters: Goob Bear, Sophie Squirrel, Pokey Porcupine, Tagalong Allie, Ernie the worm, Jumper Rabbit, Lily Skunk, and Sammy Squirrel.
What I really like about this book is at the end of each story, he has a parent's corner where both parents and teachers can encourage open discussions with their children or students. In the section titled, Baby Steps, children are taught how to take baby steps which encourages them to get involved and be an active participant as they apply these values and principles to their own lives. These are the seven principles discussed in this children's book.
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
What I've found interesting is how much the students really do want to apply these prinicples to their own lives and have been encouraging their families to participate and practice these principles at home. I am in the process of reading all of the books written by Sean Covey. He has written a children's book for each of the seven habits. Each time I've read one of his books...I have at least one student tell me they asked their mom to take them to the library to check out one of his books. What a valuable lesson for us as educators....when you find ideas or topics of interest for children and they are actively engaged, you can create many different lessons centered on academics while incorporating these principles as well. Do you think it is important to teach these principles to children? Do you apply any of these same principles in your own life? If so, how often?
Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteIs this book written for children or is this book written for adults to interpret to children? It sounds very interesting. This is the first year at my school since I have been there for five years, that we sat down as a faculty and defined 3 core school rules. The first week of school students defined examples of how to follow these rules in a behavior matrix. I felt really positive about the implementation of the rules but as the year has gone on, I feel they have fallen to the wayside. This book, in my opinion, would be a great way to keep students and teachers more abreast of how to be a good citizen. To answer your question, of the 7 principles you listed, I would say my 2 strengths are be proactive and begin with the end in mind. I try to apply these characteristics in my daily life.
The book "The 7 Habits of Happy Kids" was written for parents and/or teachers to read to children. At the end of each story is a "Parent's Corner" with discussion questions and baby steps listed to review and encourage children to use in their daily lives. Sean Covey is the author of this book and "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens." His father wrote the book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." Sean Covey has written books for children at the elementary level to introduce or discuss each of these seven habits or principles as well. My fifth graders love these books and we use these principles daily in our classroom.
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