Learn the 12 Caring Habits

Think about this - The average American child knows 200 BRAND NAMES before they know the 26 letters of the alphabet - taught by advertisers - NOT by teachers.

 

Caring Habits says let's be smart - let's use the POWER of BRAND NAMES by converting the months of the year into BRAND NAMES to motivate youth to emulate and adopt 12 desired behaviors. 

Each month also has it's own unique color as you'll notice in the "12 Caring Habits" list to the left..  We call these our "Caring Colors." Each color has its own special name that fits the "Theme of the Month."  

In the column below you will find information about all 12 Caring Habit months that includes:

Caring Habit of the Month

Character Vocabulary Words

Caring Color of the Month

Early Childhood Theme

Health Habit of the Month

Goal for Each Month

Action Examples

"Lend a Hand" is celebrated in January because right after the Holiday season the spirit of giving ends abruptly.  In many areas, January is a cold, dark month when many people still need help. Caring Habits keep the holiday mood going in January by promoting the Caring Habit to "Lend a Hand" by helping others.

January Caring Color

"Gentle Aqua" is a color to remind us of compassion and caring for others.

January Character Vocabulary Words

Benevolence, Caring, Charity, Compassion, Generosity, Helpfulness, Kindness

January Early Childhood Caring Character

"Happy Squirrel” says - "Help Others"

January Health Habit

Aid/CPR & AIDS Prevention.

January Goal for the Month

To lift our spirit and the spirits of others by caring and sharing, and giving.

January Action Examples

. Your children rush to pick up apples falling from an old man's grocery bag.

. Your son carries packages for an overburdened shopper — even "Mom."

. You help a team of PTO friends who volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

"You Count" is the Caring Habit for February because Valentine's Day celebrates the importance of others in our lives and celebrates ourselves, too.

In the United States we also celebrate February as "Black History Month." The idea "You Count" expands on the meaning of Black History to include a celebration of everyone from every ethnic origin.

February Caring Color

"WOW! Fuchsia" is a color that stands out in a crowd, just like we all do.

February Character Vocabulary Words

Acceptance, Diversity, Truthfulness, Equality, Justice, Responsibility, Tolerance

February Early Childhood Caring Character

"U-2-R" the Star --  Says:  "You too are a STAR!

February Health Habit

Be Drug-FREE.

February Goal for the Month

To know that you count and believe it!

February Action Examples

. A neighborhood school bus driver learns the names of every youth who rides his bus.

. A popular student goes out of his way to talk with a classmate who is socially "invisible."

. A teacher, stressed by the behavior of one student, talks personally with the student about the problem as the first step.

"Resolve Conflicts" is a new way to interpret the old adage, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb."  In the Caring Habits routine, we "go out like a lamb" in our relationships as well as in the weather.

March Caring Color

"Dove White." White is the color of the peace dove that symbolically flies with the olive branch in his beak.

March Character Vocabulary Words

Fairness, Forgiveness, Justice, Mediation, Peacefulness, Respectfulness, Self-control.

   

March Early Childhood Caring Character

"Grazie"Lamb“ says "Get Along Together."

March Health Habit

Anger Management and Abuse Prevention

March Goal for the Month

Patch up a relationship with at least one person.

March Action Examples

. Students participate in classroom role playing, learning to resolve differences peacefully.

. Your daughter tells you she stopped at the lockers to talk with a student she has been having problems with.

. Your children decide to do their chores without protest.

"Take Care of Our Environment," is April’s Caring Habit because Earth Day is celebrated on April 21. In the northern hemisphere April is a spring month. The budding trees and flowers are natural reminders that our Earth needs love and care to nourish our future and our children.

At Caring Habits we think the month to honor our environment is also a good month to focus on being smoke-FREE. The two ideas definitely reinforce one another in the school environment.

April Caring Color

"Spring Green" Think spring.

April Character Vocabulary Words

Atmosphere, Biodegradable, Conscientiousness, Conservation, Pollution, Preservation

April Early Childhood Caring Character

"Lady" Frog Says - Love The Earth!

April Health Habit

Be Smoke-FREE.

April Goal for the Month

Select an environmental project and then do something about it.

April Action Examples

. Your son goes out of his way to drop his aluminum drink can in a recycling container.

. You chaperone a field trip to a glass-recycling center arranged by your son's science teacher.

. A group of high school seniors and youth groups team up to adopt a highway and remove litter.

"Be Appreciative," is a perfect Caring Habit for the month of May. May has Memorial Day and Mother's Day, and is the month when teachers, government service workers and volunteers across America are appreciated for all they do. Think pink this month!

May Caring Color

"Grateful Pink" is for Mom and for all those you appreciate each day.

May Character Vocabulary Words

Appreciation, Courtesy, Gratefulness, Honor, Politeness, Thankfulness, Sincerity

May Early Childhood Caring Character

"Toby" Flower says "Say Thank You."

May  Health Habit

Exercise! Appreciate your body.

May Goal for the Month

In addition to appreciating others, take time to appreciate yourself.

May Action Examples

. Your daughter writes a thank-you note to her teacher who went out of his way to help her with homework.

. You notice that a local TV station recognizes a student who volunteered for a local vacant lot clean-up project.

"Be Adventurous" is celebrated in June because it's the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. It's a great month to "break routine" and plan an interesting vacation, or start something to improve yourself. June is a great time for creativity and dreams of change and renewal.

June Caring Color

"JOLT! Orange" is a color to grab your attention and get you out of your routine.

June Character Vocabulary Words

Boldness, Creativity, Energy, Entrepreneurism, Ingenuity, Perseverance, Resourceful

June Early Childhood Caring Character

"Magic" Butterfly says: “Make a Wish.

June Health Habit

Prevent Disease and Improve Your Health

Goal for the Month

Break free of procrastination. Begin something that you have been putting off for too long.

June Action Examples

. Rather than hanging out on the corner, your son goes to the library once a week to chat with an Internet pen-pal in another country.

. You encourage your parents to take up square dancing again after 30 years.

. You and several neighbors sponsor a progressive cookout, with each one providing a different surprise treat or entree.

"Become Involved" is what America's founding fathers did when they felt they could create a better life for the early colonists. Good citizenship is more than just voting. July is a great month to celebrate the 4th by volunteering your time to a cause that is important to you.

July Caring Color

"Patriot Red" is just the color to encourage you to do it!

July Character Vocabulary Words

Activism, Altruism, Benevolence, Citizenship, Loyalty, Patriotism, Participation, Philanthropic

July Early Childhood Caring Character

"Jenny" Ladybug Says: "All Join In."

July Health Habit

Hygiene and Cleanliness.

July Goal for the Month

Have a great summer volunteering!

July Action Examples

. Your daughter joins a summer basketball league and helps repair the equipment.

. You and your family shares quality time by volunteering together at the Salvation Army.

. You join a group of community members to organize a painting party to help paint houses of the elderly.

"Know Who Your Are" is something we often don't take time to think about. Ask yourself what do you really value in life and think about how much of your time you devote to the things that matter to you.  August is usually hot and a good time for vacations. Vacations are a good time for reflection.

August Caring Color

"Thoughtful Blue" is soft and quiet to support "taking stock" of you.

August Character Vocabulary Words

Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Responsibility, Resolve, Trustworthiness, Truthfulness

August Early Childhood Caring Character

"Gregory" Acorn Says: "When I Grow Up."

August Health Habit

Health Education and Immunizations.

August Goal for the Month

Write down your own values about family, work, and your role in the community.

August Action Examples

. You hear your son in conversation with your own father, interested in learning more about your family.

. You take some time to talk with your children about values and what you believe in.

. Churches come together to celebrate and to pray for common needs in the community.

"Do Your Best" is a perfect Caring Habit for September, when the new USA school year really gets underway. A do-your-best and a strive-for-excellence frame of mind is the best way to start right and to make commitments that will ensure a good job at whatever you do.

September Caring Color

"Award Gold." rewards our hard work.

September Character Vocabulary Words

Punctuality, Perseverance, Responsibility, Dependability, Trustworthy, Self-Discipline

September Early Childhood Caring Character

"Busy" Bee Says "Do Your Best."

September Health Habit

Nutrition and Weight Management.

September Goal for the Month

Pick a task, even a small one, and give it all the effort you've got!

September Action Examples

. You read in the paper that a teenage boy on probation finds a wallet on the sidewalk and returns it.

. A teacher invests some extra time in an old lesson plan to make your son's English classes more interesting.

. A youth completes cross country in record time; another youth smiles after finishing the race dead last — proud that he finished without stopping, even prouder for having tried.

"Be Patient & Listen" is very important to improving relationships and respect between students.  October is a good month to focus on these qualities. School has been in progress for about a month, so all teachers will appreciate the focus on settling down in class with improved patience and listening skills.

October Caring Color

"Slow-Down Lavender” really sets the mood.

October Character Vocabulary Words

Respect, Caring, Consideration, Courtesy, Humility, Sportsmanship, Value Others

October Early Childhood Caring Character

"Waldo" Bear Says: "Wait & Listen."

October Health Habit

Safety and (optional) Sex Education

October Goal for the Month

Find the patience to make cherished memories out of more moments this month.

October Action Examples

. A teenager listens intently to a grandfather's reminiscences, lovingly hanging on every word, even though the story has been told a thousand times.

. Your spouse relaxes amid snarled traffic, listens to music and accepts the gift of quiet time, rather than stressing over events beyond control.

. A city council member comes to your children's school and walks to different classrooms, stopping to ask and listen to what is really important to teachers and students in the district.

"Show a Positive Attitude" is the Caring Habit for November because it includes the quality of thanksgiving and thankfulness; and because it is a great frame of mind for going into winter and the December holiday season.

November Caring Color

“Sunny Yellow” reminds us of the famous "Smiley" face that is a well-known symbol all around the world.

November Character Vocabulary Words

Thankfulness, Cheerfulness, Enthusiasm, Faith, Goodwill, Optimism. Resilience

November Early Childhood Caring Character

"Smily" Says" "SMILE"

November Health Habit

Stress Reduction, Humor Therapy

November Goal for the Month

On every excursion wear joy in your smile.

November Action Examples

. Your soccer team son stands on the sidelines, shouting encouragement to fellow teammates, rather than brooding over not getting into the game.

. You warm an otherwise cold and dreary day by offering a smile and a nod to fellow pedestrians as they pass on the sidewalk.

. You offer a positive word to another shopper disgruntled because of the long checkout lines and inexperienced cashier.

No matter what religious belief you hold, "Celebrate Community, Family & Friends" wraps up the year and captures the essence of what the holiday season is all about. Practicing all the Caring Habits is a way to keep it all together during the rough spots.

December Caring Color

"EVER-Green" is a reminder that it is family and friends, and community that are the abiding and enduring aspects of a fulfilling life.

December Character Vocabulary Words

Altruism, Community, Compassion, Cooperation, Friendship, Hope. Inspiration, Thankfulness

December Early Childhood Caring Character

"Evert" Tree Says: "Love Each Other"

December Health Habit

Healthy Heart, Mind and Spirit

December Goal for the Month

Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

December Action Examples

. You invite a foreign college student to share a holiday meal with your family.

. You work an extra shift so a first-time mother can share the holiday with her new baby and visiting family.

Your place of worship youth group volunteers at a local food pantry to serve meals to the homeless.

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Elementary

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We’re Turning Caring Actions into Caring Habits...One Month At a Time

Student “Lending a Hand.”

“You Count” Bulletin Board

Counselor “Resolving a Conflict.”

Student taking care of seedlings.

Students appreciating one another.

Student working on new project.

Student becoming involved in helping.

Students respect one another

Rewards for “doing your best.”

Students patiently listening in class.

Celebrating “caring” behaviors.

Positive classroom attitudes.

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Elementary

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