Help Generation Alpha children grow into happy, principle-centred adults by building effective mindsets and habits early. "7 Habits of Happy Kids" by Sean Covey introduces timeless principles and valuable life skills with characters and stories that kids and adults can learn from.
I am the proud parent of two amazing Generation Z (born between 1995-2009) boys who are now 23 and 21 years old. They are kind, responsible and principled young adults who are great company and fun to be around. I am incredibly blessed to have them in my life.
Throughout my parenting journey, I have learned so much from seeing the world through my son's eyes at each stage of their growth.
In my blog Raising Generation Z, I share 3 lessons my sons taught me about raising tomorrow's leaders and being a better coach and mentor for today's young workforce. Now in a new phase of parenting my adult children, I continue to learn so many more valuable lessons.
While I am in the final stages of my parenting journey, many of my friends, colleagues and clients are at the beginning of theirs. This week's blog (the second edition of Books That Inspire Action) is inspired by recent conversations I had with friends who are parents of Generation Alpha (born after 2010).
There have been many parenting books that have helped me along my parenting journey. Two that have been extremely helpful in guiding complex conversations around developing healthy mindsets, principles and values come from Sean Covey, the son of Dr. Stephen Covey who wrote the OG self-help book, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People".
Sean Covey wrote "7 Habits of Happy Kids" and "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers", both based on Dr. Covey's original book concept, but tailored from the perspective of different age groups. In both books, he captures the perspective of children and teens effectively with stories and situational examples that resonate and open their minds to the 7 habits.
I read "7 Habits of Happy Kids" to my boys when they were young and it helped me to teach valuable lessons in a fun way. Sean Covey describes why he wrote this book in the original promotion video from Simon & Schuster Books as follows:
"Written for parents and teachers with some little things I call baby steps that kids can take to start living that particular principle or value."
"You teach your kids 21st-century life skills like how to get along with people, how to plan and how to take responsibility for your life."
Although the book is an illustrated storybook targeted at preschool to grade 3 children, I think it also benefits the parents who read the book to their children. For many of the parents I have gifted the children's book to, it is their first exposure to the 7 Habits. They often go on to read the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" to learn more about improving their adult lives.
After all, we need to lead by example and model the behaviour we want to see in our children as parents. Ultimately, their values and principles mirror our own.
So if you are a parent of a Gen Alpha, or if you have friends who would benefit from a fun parenting tool to connect with their children, read on to find out how this book can help shape happier mindsets and behaviours in children.
What Are the "7 Habits of Happy Kids"?
The "7 Habits of Happy Kids" book is part of Franklyn Covey's "Leader in Me" academic model that focuses on building leadership and life skills in students and creating high-trust school cultures. As detailed on their website, "There are over 5,000 Leader in Me schools in all 50 (U.S.) states and in over 50 countries. Our mission is to unleash the greatness in students, educators, and school communities everywhere."
The book is based on the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Dr. Stephen Covey but is expressed through the eyes of children in characters and stories that they can relate to. (Click here to see the animated trailer from Franklyncovey.com)
Each habit is expressed with a character and a short story with real-life viewpoints and relevance of a child and their life situations where the principles can be applied.
Habit One: Be Proactive - You're in Charge
Habit Two: Begin With the End in Mind - Have a Plan
Habit Three: Put First Things First - Work First, Then Play
Habit Four: Think Win/Win - Everyone Can Win
Habit Five: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood - Listen Before You Talk
Habit Six: Synergize - Together is Better
Habit Seven: Sharpen the Saw - Balance Feels Best
Source: leaderinme.org
Each habit is important as a stand-alone principle, but when put together in the "7 Habits Tree", teaches the concept of Dr. Stephen R. Covey's "Maturity Continuum"; the human journey from dependence to independence and interdependence.
The first three habits focus on mindset and behaviours for self-mastery such as accountability, responsibility, self-discipline and independence.
Habits Four and Five focus on mindset and behaviours for interdependence such as dealing with conflict, consideration for others, self-expression and communication skills.
Habit Seven focuses on self-care and connectivity to family and community.
My favourite part of the book as a parent is the "Parent's Corner" at the end of each story. Author Sean Covey provides examples to highlight key points in the story along with discussion questions and suggestions on practicing the habits.
These summaries were helpful reminders for me to live the 7 habits daily in my adult life and how to foster the habits in my sons.
Why is it Important for Gen Alpha to Learn the "7 Habits of Happy Kids"?
Generation Alpha is predicted to be the most transformational generation as they lead us into the 22nd century. They are the most tech-savvy natives of all the generations, but they are also the most socially impaired generation impacted by technology dependence, an unrealistic social media culture and the isolation hang-over of Covid-19 restrictions.
Here are some fast facts on Gen Alpha:
Generation Alpha is defined as those born between 2010-2024.
More than 2.5 million are born globally every week.
By 2030 they will be 11% of the global workforce.
They are the most materially endowed generation.
They are the most technologically savvy generation.
They have increased digital literacy.
They have shorter attention spans.
They have impaired social formation.
Source:
Understanding Generation Alpha - Online Article - mccrindle.com.au
Here is a great video to learn more about Generation Alpha.
I have weekly playdates with my 6-year-old nephew, who I think considers me his playmate more so than his aunt. Because of our "peer" connection, he is incredibly open in communicating with me as a fellow Gen Alpha and shows me his true mindset and behaviours.
In my nephew, I see all the statistical data and research on Gen Alpha come to life.
"Can you google it?" is the common phrase for anything he has a question on.
Using remote controls, iPhones and iPads are second nature to him.
He would rather watch YouTube than kid's shows on Netflix or Disney+ and insists on hitting the like button for the videos he enjoys.
His favourite toys and shows change in a matter of weeks.
As an only child and the youngest of the cousins and lacks sharing skills.
He is extremely sensitive and already has an ego beyond his years.
My 6-year-old nephew is bright, witty, smart and caring. His parents have done a wonderful job in training his social politeness and behaviour which he demonstrates when his parents are around and with reminders. But as he integrates into primary school and picks up on behaviour from his classmates and peers, his own integrity and self-discipline will be tested.
While he is still interested in storybooks and intrigued by how he influences consequences with his actions, my nephew would benefit from learning the 7 habits to build effective life skills and core values of good character.
Starting with good foundations and building habits of values and principles early in children will help them to deal with the even harder growth stage of the teen years.
Better Understanding = Better Parenting
As a leadership development educator and coach for over 15 years, understanding the mindset and behaviour of various generations is an important part of connecting with and influencing the diverse groups of people I work with. It's a topic that I am deeply interested in and feel is beneficial to share because it helps us all connect better professionally and in our personal lives.
As a parent, understanding generational mindsets and behaviours has helped me to navigate parenting my sons and to connect with different generations in my life better. Including understanding my Generation X self better.
Today's parents are tasked with the unprecedented challenges of navigating parenthood in pandemic times.
According to the World Health Organization article on Considering the Impact of Covid-19 on Children, "COVID-19 has created the largest disruption of education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion students in more than 190 countries."
While it's important to help children to recover from any educational development that Covid-19 may have disrupted. It is equally important to ensure that we, in the words of Sean Covey, "teach your kids 21st-century life skills like how to get along with people, how to plan and how to take responsibility for your life."
Each stage of parenting comes with its own challenges. Books like "7 Habits of Happy Kids" make values and principles more tangibly teachable to enable our children to learn leadership life skills for their lifetime.
Here are some recommended readings to help understand Generation Z and Alpha more:
Generation Z Unfiltered - book by Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak
Generation Alpha: Understanding Our Children and Helping Them Thrive - by Mark McCrindle and Ashley Fell
Generation Z Characteristics and its Implications for Companies - McKinsey & Company
Generation Alpha Characteristics and Parenting Tips - Parenting.Firstcry.com
I would love to hear your comments!
Who is a Gen Alpha that you influence in your life?
What recommendations do you have for Gen Alpha-relevant books?
What are your concerns about raising Gen Alpha?
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