Our habits and routines get so ingrained at some point that we forget that they are there. When I was growing up I was so aware of the exact route my mom took in driving us to elementary school in the morning that when she deviated due to a bridge being opened from years of construction, I noticed and questioned it. Then, over the next few months I got used to that as well and now, while I can remember the new route, the old route is locked away somewhere in my brain.
We all succumb to habits - adults and children alike - and it can sometimes be hard and maybe embarrassing to realize when a routine or habit has taken control of your life and caused you to veer away from the path you want to be on.
I recently finished reading a book entitled The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg all about the power of habits and how we can take control of these habits if we would only analyze them in a particular way to realize our own potential. By recognizing when you are triggered to enter into a habit (the "cue"), what patterns you follow after (the "routine") and what outcome there is (the "reward") you can change your actions to build positive routines for your life.
While reading this book I couldn't help but think about my work in teaching and the students who are with me every day. I see some of the worst habits formed early (throwing homework papers into a backpack instead of into a labeled folder, for example). I also am guilty of similarly bad routines (placing all work for one assignment into a folder on a pile of other folders, for example). The one difference, I think, is that I have more experience recognizing these patterns and so am able to change these habits more readily than my students. So, it is partly my job to help them develop positive routines that can help them organize their work and life.
It is easy to simply write that here yet I know that when I get back into the classroom I will be so bogged down by everything else that I will not prioritize this point. One thing I hope to get out of reading this book is to change my own habits and routines and set reminders for myself to conduct binder checks; emphasize organization; and give feedback to my students on how they can make themselves more ready for interactions in the job world. I only hope I remember what I write down now so that I can bring it up with them in the future.
We all succumb to habits - adults and children alike - and it can sometimes be hard and maybe embarrassing to realize when a routine or habit has taken control of your life and caused you to veer away from the path you want to be on.
I recently finished reading a book entitled The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg all about the power of habits and how we can take control of these habits if we would only analyze them in a particular way to realize our own potential. By recognizing when you are triggered to enter into a habit (the "cue"), what patterns you follow after (the "routine") and what outcome there is (the "reward") you can change your actions to build positive routines for your life.
While reading this book I couldn't help but think about my work in teaching and the students who are with me every day. I see some of the worst habits formed early (throwing homework papers into a backpack instead of into a labeled folder, for example). I also am guilty of similarly bad routines (placing all work for one assignment into a folder on a pile of other folders, for example). The one difference, I think, is that I have more experience recognizing these patterns and so am able to change these habits more readily than my students. So, it is partly my job to help them develop positive routines that can help them organize their work and life.
It is easy to simply write that here yet I know that when I get back into the classroom I will be so bogged down by everything else that I will not prioritize this point. One thing I hope to get out of reading this book is to change my own habits and routines and set reminders for myself to conduct binder checks; emphasize organization; and give feedback to my students on how they can make themselves more ready for interactions in the job world. I only hope I remember what I write down now so that I can bring it up with them in the future.
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