Habit 1 - Be Proactive

Habit 1 — Be Proactive

“I am responsible for my choices.”

At Giles Junior School, we teach children that being proactive means taking responsibility for their actions, making thoughtful choices and showing initiative.

We cannot always control what happens around us, but we can learn to choose how we respond. Children are encouraged to pause, recognise their feelings and consider their next step. Being proactive also means knowing when to ask for help.

In school, this might look like:

• Getting ready to learn without waiting for a reminder.

• Taking care of belongings and shared spaces.

• Finding a helpful way to solve a problem.

• Recognising a mistake and taking steps to put it right.

• Asking a trusted adult for support when something feels difficult.

We recognise that children need different levels of support to develop these skills. Through modelling, encouragement and practice, we help every child build confidence in making positive choices.

At home, you can reinforce this habit by asking: “What could you do next?” or “What part of this can you influence?”