Date: October 24, 2025
Location: North Augusta Elementary School
This morning, our Dolphin families and students gathered to celebrate our October Habit Hero Breakfast, honoring one outstanding student from each classroom who exemplifies Habit #3: Put First Things First — one of the foundational habits in our Leader in Me journey.
🏅 What Does “Put First Things First” Mean?
Habit #3 encourages students to focus on what matters most — to set priorities, make responsible choices, and manage their time wisely. It’s all about organizing their days around what’s important rather than what’s merely urgent or distracting.
In simple terms, it means “Work first, then play.” Students who put first things first know how to balance schoolwork, responsibilities, and fun. They take initiative to complete tasks, follow through on commitments, and show dependability at school and at home.
💛 Why This Habit Matters
Developing this habit early helps students become self-disciplined and goal-oriented leaders. By practicing time management and learning how to make choices aligned with their goals, students gain confidence and ownership over their success. These skills also build resilience and prepare them for lifelong learning and leadership.
💡 Tips for Parents: Encouraging Habit #3 at Home
Families can help reinforce this important habit every day:
Create a daily routine. Encourage your child to make a checklist for morning and evening tasks.
Set priorities together. Help your child decide what must be done before leisure activities — such as completing homework or chores before screen time.
Model balance. Let your child see you scheduling time for work, family, and fun — and talk about why balance matters.
Celebrate progress. Recognize when your child follows through on responsibilities. A few kind words go a long way in building lifelong habits of success!
🌈 Looking Ahead: Habit #4 – Think Win-Win
Next month, our students will focus on Habit #4: Think Win-Win, which teaches that everyone can win. This habit promotes teamwork, empathy, and the idea that success is not a competition — it’s about cooperation. Together, we’ll explore how Dolphins can create positive outcomes for themselves and others by thinking “we,” not “me.”