The Hilldale Habits were chosen by the staff as the foremost tenants of what we want our children to practice and eventually embody. The three Hilldale Habits are Respect, Leadership, and Independent, Lifelong Learning. These are not lofty ideals; rather, they are the necessary building blocks of all our interactions.
Being respectful means keeping a sense of others in the forefront of our mind in all our interactions. We teach and expect:
Even when we are experiencing intense emotions, hurt feelings, or frustration, it is critical that we remember that all our actions impact those around us. It’s natural to have feelings, and many bright children have big feelings. However, we need to practice our self-regulatory (or “chill skills”) before reacting. And, when we make a mistake, we need to practice respect in how we make amends.
It’s certainly not possible for everyone to be the leader; however, it is possible for all to demonstrate leadership in big and small ways. We teach and expect:
In order to grow, we need to practice independence. This necessitates that we fail, lose, and make mistakes from time to time. Without the willingness to get back and try again, to have confidence in ourselves, we will not be able to grow as a thinker or person. We teach and expect: