Developing the “Leader In Me” As Early As Kindergarten
At Paideia, we nurture critical thinking, empower voices, and cultivate problem-solving skills, laying the foundation for personal and public leadership. Through the renowned Leader in Me program and Stephen Covey's transformative 7 Habits, woven into every aspect of our curriculum, we equip students for success from their earliest years. By fostering alignment between school and home environments, we forge powerful habits that shape a lifetime of achievement in education, career, and relationships. Join us in empowering your child for a future filled with possibility and purpose.
The 7 Habits tree poster uses the analogy of a mature tree to illustrate applying the habits to one’s life. Kids’ language is used to help children relate the habits to their reality.
Much like the tree uses photosynthesis for not only its own health but that of the planet, the Paideia community uses the 7 Habits for whole-person health of not only the individual but also the entirety of humanity.
We encourage all – families, teachers, leaders, and scholars – to study and embrace the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People into their lives.
We promise, if you will embrace these habits you will experience greater peace in your own life and in the life of your family and community.
The 7 Habits Tree
How we incorporate the Seven Habits into the culture of our school community and how you can reinforce the language and concepts of The 7 Habits:
Habit 1 — Be Proactive (I’m in charge of me)
AT SCHOOL:
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.
Put the Habit into Practice:
Pause and respond based on principles and desired results.
Use proactive language.
Focus on your Circle of Influence.
Become a Transition Person.
AT HOME:
Take responsibility for my life and make good choices.
Stop and Think.
Use Proactive instead of Reactive Language.
Circle of Influence / Circle of Concern.
Carry Your Own Weather.
Freedom to Choose.
Accountability for Choices.
Habit 2 — Begin with the End in Mind (Have a Plan)
AT SCHOOL:
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.
Put the Habit into Practice:
Define outcomes before you act.
Create and live by a personal mission statement.
AT HOME:
Define my mission and goals in life.
Mental creation precedes physical creation.
Vision of the future.
Mission statements.
Habit 3 — Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play)
AT SCHOOL:
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.
Put the Habit into Practice:
Focus on your highest priorities.
Eliminate the unimportant.
Plan every week.
Stay true in the moment of choice.
Have the courage to say “no” in favor of a greater “yes.”
AT HOME:
Spend time on things that matter the most.
Say no to the unimportant.
Big Rocks.
Plan weekly and daily.
Habit 4 — Think Win-Win (Everyone can Win)
AT SCHOOL:
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.
Put the Habit into Practice:
Build your Emotional Bank Account with others.
Have an Abundance Mentality.
Balance courage and consideration.
Consider other people’s wins as well as our own.
Create Win-Win Agreements.
AT HOME:
Seek solutions where everyone can win.
Win-win, win-lose, lose-win, lose-lose, no deal.
Balance courage with consideration.
Manage conflict.
Habit 5 — Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood (Listen Before You Talk)
AT SCHOOL:
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.
Put the Habit into Practice:
Practice Empathic Listening.
Respectfully seek to be understood.
AT HOME:
Listen to other people’s ideas and feelings.
Listen attentively for content.
Listen emphatically for feelings.
Voice opinions.
Present ideas clearly.
Habit 6 — Synergize (Together is Better)
AT SCHOOL:
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 any one of us can alone. I am humble.
Put the Habit into Practice:
Value differences.
Seek 3rd Alternatives.
AT HOME:
Work together to achieve more.
1+1=3.
Value differences.
Celebrate diversity.
Seek the Third Alternative.
Habit 7 — Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Best)
AT SCHOOL:
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.
Put the Habit into Practice:
Achieve the Daily Private Victory.
Plan Self-Renewal activities into your schedule every week that address body, mind, heart and spirit.
AT HOME:
Regularly renew my heart, mind, body, and spirit.
Find balance in life.
Sharpen the physical saw: healthy diet, exercise, hygiene.
Sharpen the emotional saw: have fun, build relationships.
Sharpen the mental saw: well-rounded learning, more authentic reading – less screen time (TV, computers, and smart phones).
Sharpen the spiritual saw: find meaning, quiet reflection, service to others.
As they get older, scholars are further supported to cultivate the 8th habit.
Habit 8 — Discover My Voice and Help Others Discover Their Own
With great drive to be true to our moral purpose and school mission, we support scholars in their journey of cultivating the 8th habit. Our scholars are encouraged and empowered to find their voice and engage in work that rises out of a great need in the world, taps into their talents, fuels their passion, and deepens their conscience to do what is right.
Paideia Academies professional educators nurture scholars to discover and rediscover their own voice by asking the four questions:
What need do you sense in your family, community, and the world?
Do you possess a true talent that, if disciplined and applied, can meet the need?
Does the opportunity to meet the need tap into your passion?
Does your conscience inspire you to take action and become involved?
“Voice” lies in the nexus of need, talent, passion and conscience. First find your voice, then help others to find theirs. That is the joy of a true leader.
Ready to experience how the 7 habits can help transform your child's life?