I'm reading a book The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
So far I am fascinated by the information. Writing style is quite engaging.
In first few chapters he talks about “Habit loop”
Cue -> Routine -> Reward
…. and suddenly I started seeing “habits” everywhere
Two habits I want to mention here are of my children
A younger one, just about an year old, throws tantrums when we are changing his nappy or putting on a diaper. But I started playing peek-a-boo with him when he is lying on his back, and he closes his eyes and plays peek-a-boo since he enjoys that, he lays “still”, till I put on a fresh diaper
Cue : Lay on the back watching father
Routine : Lay still/put hands on eyes and play peek-a-boo
Reward : Fun !!
His older brother is about 3 yrs old. He doesn't want to leave TV and go to sleep. Recently I showed him “shadow play” where all his toy animals appear before “torch”, then their shadows do something “fun”, and jump on the bed and sleep. He really enjoys this.
…. and at the end, after all the animals have “gone to sleep”, he is the last one to look at his own shadow, wave, and jump on the bed to sleep.
He likes this so much, that I just have to “remind” him of the “shadow play” and he will be OK me switching off the TV
Cue: Reminder about “upcoming” shadow play
Routine: brush his teeth, a mini-bath, putting on night dress
Reward : Shadow play
Now, I need to look at my own life to see the habit-loop