There was a time when each of us believed that our “bad habits” were merely minor annoyances: nail-biting, waking up late, homework done at the last minute. And yes, they are small in one sense. But here’s the thing: they are also signposts. They reveal something much larger like character, self-awareness and our capability to shape our own lives.

At Silver Oaks, this truth is embodied daily. We firmly believe that the children who will grow into people of strong character are not simply those who avoid bad habits; they are those who recognize, understand them and make a conscious decision to change them. Self-awareness is the gateway to change: because you cannot transform what you cannot see.

Research supports this. One article explains how children develop self-awareness; how they gradually learn to think about how they think, feel, act and then begin to regulate their behavior accordingly.
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-moment-youth/201508/self-awareness-how-kids-make-sense-life-experiences

Now, take something as seemingly trivial as nail-biting: a child recognizes, “yes, I do this when I’m anxious or bored”; they decide, “I will stop”; and they practice an alternative habit that is useful. Over months, the cycle of “I notice → I change → I reflect” becomes a habit of self-awareness. That’s the sort of habit that cultivates character.

This is where the culture of Silver Oaks becomes so powerful. We do not wait for children to become adults and then hope for character development. Instead, we weave meaningful rituals into their lives that help them see their habits, name them and release the ones that no longer serve them well. A living example is the 22-year tradition of celebrating Ramleela and its associated cultural festivals, such as the Bathukamma festival and the vibrant Dandiya Fest.

On Ramleela Day, our Acorns list the habits they wish to burn: waking up late, neglecting homework, nail-biting, perhaps even simple things like not listening to others. Then they symbolically burn the effigy of these bad habits (just as Ravana is burned) and pledge to themselves: “I will not let these return.” What is remarkable is that this ritual does more than purge a cultural symbol. It embeds a moment of self-reflection and community support.

Why does this matter? Because participating in community rituals amplifies self-regulation and belonging. Research dedicated to how cultural traditions support emotional and self-regulatory development show that children who engage in meaningful shared traditions gain social, emotional and cognitive benefits.

So yes, biting nails, waking up late, delaying homework may seem minor. But they are threads of a story we’re all writing: the story of who we become. At Silver Oaks, we offer children the mirror, storytelling, celebration and community so they can see themselves clearly, choose what to keep and what to let go. There’s magic in that and there’s character. Because self-awareness isn’t a singular moment; it’s a lifelong practice.

Let us dance the Dandiya, let us burn the effigy, let us promise better habits and in doing so, promise a better self and a better nation.