Building Good Habits in Children: Using Atomic Habits to Encourage Creativity and Break Bad Habits
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Building Good Habits in Children: Using Atomic Habits to Encourage Creativity and Break Bad Habits
As parents, educators, or caregivers, we all want children to develop healthy habits - ones that encourage creativity, learning, and emotional well-being. However, we also know how difficult it can be to break the cycle of bad habits, especially when it comes to things like excessive screen time, lack of motivation to read, or poor writing habits.
Inspired by James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, which outlines a proven method to build and break habits, we can apply these principles to help children develop positive routines. By understanding how small habits compound over time, we can create an environment where children learn to embrace creativity, reduce their reliance on screens, and strengthen their writing skills.
Here’s how we can apply the principles from Atomic Habits to help children create better habits and deter bad ones.
1. Start Small: The Power of Tiny Habits
One of the core principles of Atomic Habits is that small changes lead to big results. Clear argues that it’s not about making drastic changes overnight but about focusing on tiny habits that build up over time.
For children, this means setting small, achievable goals instead of overwhelming them with big expectations. For example, instead of setting a goal of “writing a story every day,” encourage children to write just a few sentences or even a paragraph. Over time, this small habit will become a natural part of their routine.
The Story Blocks Journal is designed to help children engage in small, manageable writing challenges that don’t feel overwhelming. With daily story starters, children are encouraged to write for just 10-15 minutes, allowing them to build consistency without pressure. By focusing on these small wins, children will gradually develop the habit of writing and expressing themselves creatively.
2. Make it Obvious: Clear Cues for Good Habits
Clear’s second principle in Atomic Habits is to make good habits obvious. For children, the environment plays a crucial role in making good habits easier to follow.
To help children develop a daily writing habit, create a visible writing space that encourages them to pick up their Story Blocks Journal regularly. This could be a designated spot at the kitchen table or a corner of their room with their journal and a pen ready. Making the writing space visible and inviting serves as a constant reminder for children to take action.
In addition, using reward charts and stickers (as found in Story Blocks) can make this habit even more obvious. A physical reminder of their progress can encourage consistency and make the act of writing feel more rewarding. The more the habit is reinforced, the more likely it is to stick.
3. Make it Attractive: Creating Enjoyable Habits
Children are more likely to engage in habits that are fun and enjoyable. According to Atomic Habits, one of the most effective ways to form a habit is to make it enjoyable so that children actually look forward to doing it.
With Story Blocks Journal, creativity is the key. Children love the idea of exploring adventures, new characters, and mystical worlds. Making writing fun and part of their imagination helps build positive associations with the activity.
You can also pair writing with something fun, like rewarding a writing session with a favourite activity afterward (a mini-reward for completing their story). By associating writing with something enjoyable, children will be more inclined to make it a regular part of their routine.
4. Make it Easy: Remove Friction
Another key idea in Atomic Habits is to make good habits easy and remove obstacles. The easier it is to perform a habit, the more likely it is that a child will stick to it.
To make writing easy, ensure that everything they need is accessible. Keep the Story Blocks Journal in a spot where they can grab it and start writing immediately. Avoiding unnecessary obstacles like searching for a pen or getting distracted by other items will make the habit feel natural and effortless.
Additionally, don’t make writing a daunting task. The Story Blocks Journal offers small, achievable prompts that children can tackle in just a few minutes a day. This easy entry into writing removes the friction that often comes with larger, more intimidating writing tasks.
5. Use Habit Stacking: Pairing Habits Together
Atomic Habits suggests the technique of habit stacking, where you take an existing habit and add a new one on top of it. For children, this could mean pairing a writing habit with an already established daily activity.
For instance, you could use story time before bed as a way to introduce the habit of writing. After reading a short story together, the child could take a few minutes to write their own version or create a new adventure based on the story they just heard. This pairing makes the new habit feel seamless and natural.
Another example could be tying writing to a specific time of day, such as after school or during morning routines. By stacking writing on top of an existing habit, the child is more likely to remember and follow through.
6. Break Bad Habits: Focus on Replacing, Not Just Stopping
Instead of focusing solely on breaking bad habits like excessive screen time, Atomic Habits advises us to replace them with positive alternatives. Children aren’t just going to stop using their phones or watching TV - they need something that provides the same satisfaction and engagement.
By providing a screen-free creative outlet like the Story Blocks Journal, children have an alternative to screen-based activities that still sparks excitement and creativity. Encourage them to replace passive screen time with active creative time, using the journal to explore stories and express ideas. Over time, this will help break the cycle of mindless screen use.
The principles from Atomic Habits are powerful tools that can help children build strong, positive habits. By starting small, making writing enjoyable, and creating an environment that supports creativity, you can help children develop a love for writing that lasts.
Story Blocks Journal isn’t just a writing tool - it’s a way to encourage your child’s growth, boost their creativity, and help them establish a daily habit of writing that will serve them for years to come. It’s time to turn the page on screen time and make room for creativity!