The word ‘habit’ can be defined as ‘a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up’. As humans, we all form habits – some good and others that are less desirable! From experience, we know how hard it can be to form a good habit and how difficult it is to break a bad one. Through repetition, behaviour patterns become imprinted in our neural pathways. This creates the difficulty in the formation or break-down of a habit. A conscientious effort is needed to stop or repeat behaviour patterns. Not an easy task!

Our boys have formed habits since birth and the way we parent and the way they are taught at school either enforce or break-down some of these habits. At St David’s, we strive to instil healthy habits in our boys. Ones that will benefit them throughout their lives and help them to become successful, well-adjusted men. We can think of examples such as healthy eating, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep as good habits for physical wellbeing. At the same time there are good habits that can promote spiritual growth and mental acuity. We would like to encourage all of these in our St David’s boys.
 
This term, I have introduced and encouraged one of the ‘Habits of Mind’ to our younger boys. This habit is called ‘persistence’. We have defined what persistence means and how they might be able to apply this habit during their time in the classroom, on the sports field and at home. The eagerness with which the boys have responded to this concept has been astounding. In only a few short weeks, they are using the word in the correct context and they are more aware of ‘not giving up, no matter if it is difficult’.

During a Grade 1 Life Skills lesson, I asked the boys to draw a picture of ‘what they would like to be’ when they grow up. A tearful boy raised his hand and said that he would love to be a ‘racing car driver’ but he cannot draw a racing car. Quick as a flash, his desk-mate turned to him and said: “Have you not been listening to the lesson? You need to persist and you have already given up before trying!” I could not have said it better! It is clear that children can understand and develop the concept or ‘persistence’ from a young age. If we can cultivate and grow this valuable life skill in them, the sky is the limit! They would be able to set off meeting their goals in a determined manner.
So let us all model and encourage persistence in our boys, following God’s desire for us and for our children:
Colossians 1:11-12 New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.