Habit 3: Put first things first
Parent Resources- *The information below comes from 'The Leader in Me' Parent Guide.
Put First Things First means to decide what is most important and to take care of that first. Thinking about what needs to be done tomorrow or by the end of the week can be overwhelming, especially for children. Learning to think of which things are the most important and taking care of them first allows children (and adults) to be less stressed. If your child uses a planner at school, then he or she has a great organizational tool to Put First Things First in writing, By writing down his or her responsibilities and planning ahead, last-minute trips to the store, missing events, or missed homework are avoided. If your child does not use a planner, having a weekly log would also be helpful. This could simply be a piece of paper that is used each week. Modeling this behavior is one of the best ways to teach children.
Younger-Child Activities
1. Create a list of things your child needs to accomplish throughout a week. With your child, rank the tasks in importance. Use a planner or calendar to schedule time so that the important things are done first.
2. Role-play with your child about the consequences of forgetting to study for a math test. How will your child feel? What are the consequences? Then role-play how it will feel to be well prepared and get a great math score!
3. Encourage your child to design or decorate his or her own planner or weekly activity log.
4. If you have the book, read Chapter 3 of The 7 Habits of Happy Kids book with your child and then complete the Parent Corner.
Primary Age Children's Reading List, Habit 3: Put First Things First
Put First Things First means to decide what is most important and to take care of that first. Thinking about what needs to be done tomorrow or by the end of the week can be overwhelming, especially for children. Learning to think of which things are the most important and taking care of them first allows children (and adults) to be less stressed. If your child uses a planner at school, then he or she has a great organizational tool to Put First Things First in writing, By writing down his or her responsibilities and planning ahead, last-minute trips to the store, missing events, or missed homework are avoided. If your child does not use a planner, having a weekly log would also be helpful. This could simply be a piece of paper that is used each week. Modeling this behavior is one of the best ways to teach children.
Younger-Child Activities
1. Create a list of things your child needs to accomplish throughout a week. With your child, rank the tasks in importance. Use a planner or calendar to schedule time so that the important things are done first.
2. Role-play with your child about the consequences of forgetting to study for a math test. How will your child feel? What are the consequences? Then role-play how it will feel to be well prepared and get a great math score!
3. Encourage your child to design or decorate his or her own planner or weekly activity log.
4. If you have the book, read Chapter 3 of The 7 Habits of Happy Kids book with your child and then complete the Parent Corner.
Primary Age Children's Reading List, Habit 3: Put First Things First
- Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
- The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
- The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
- The Week Mom Unplugged the TVs by Terry Wolfe
- Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
- The TV Kid by Betsy Byars
- Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World by Mildred Pitts Walter
- Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett