I recently came across Stephen Covey’s Book, The Leader in Me. My first thought was, “Isn’t he the author of the classic leadership and self help book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ?”
So I was intrigued as to why is he is suddenly talking about Children and Education.
After reading through it, I conclude that is a gem and that all educators, especially principals and coordinators should read it since a lot of administrative power lies with them.
But to actually make the whole thing work would require a lot of stakeholders to work together: admin, teachers, and parents.
The approach the school that spearheaded this program, A.B. Combs, used the ubiquitous, meaning it is built in the entire strategic system of the school. All stakeholders had to buy in and play their role to make it work.
For parents, they have to apply the 7 Habits at home also so that it is reinforced both in school and home.
As a result, it’s creating ripples across the globe, from various states in USA, to Canada and Singapore. Here in the Philippines, I’m not aware of any school tapping the 7 Habits explicitly.
The closest I have heard of a local school that used Covey’s materials is Reedley International School.
(Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with Reedley nor with Franklin Covey Company)
So what’s the big idea of this book?
What if we apply the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in the School and inculcate its principles to children as young as 5?
I found that notion intriguing. I thought it was a daring and creative idea.
Wow, imagine preschool kids learning these 7 effective habits early at their age?
We all know that the childhood stage is very crucial in developing habits and values. By teaching these principles, we are setting a firm foundation for the students.
Let’s first recap the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
- 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
Of course, these habits would have to be modified and taught very simply when dealing with the younger kids.
But those in the higher grades can learn the habits as it is and applied to their circumstances.
In my previous experience teaching character education, it was not imbedded in everything we did. We would stop and say we are going to talk about “being responsible” this month and next month we’re going to talk about “kindness.” I think it’s apparent that does not work.~Muriel Summers
Imagine if these formed the core values of a character formation program of a school and a home?
Our future would be filled with people armed with both academic excellence AND integrity.
The problem with our world is that we have plenty of smart people but they lack the essential quality of Integrity.
The 7 Habits of Effective People create leaders. It’s time we develop leaders right from the beginning.
What do the 7 Habits instill in students?
Habits 1 to 3 instill self-leadership skills:
- Initiative
- Self-motivation
- Self-confidence
- Planning skills
- Goal Setting skills
- Organization skills
- Time Management skills
- Conflict Management skills
- Communication skills
- Honesty
- Fairness
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Decision Making
- Creativity
- Technical skills
- Good Health
- Emotional Stability
- Meaningful work
The world is very complicated and changing. The challenges we face today are not the same challenges young people will face tomorrow. So we felt the best way to anchor our students was through teaching timeless principles.~Mr. Francis Foo, Principal, Chua Chu Kang Primary School, Singapore
