As we ring in the New Year, people all over the world take part in the long time tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. The start of the new year marks a time of reflection and renewal where people can make a commitment to positive change. Children can also enjoy this tradition as a natural opportunity to reflect and practice setting goals that focus on building character, life skills, a growth mindset, healthy habits, and exploring new interests. Below are some tips to guide and support your child in setting goals for the new year.
Before you sit down to decide on resolutions with your child, take a moment to reflect on the past year. One activity could be making a list of accomplishments and positive aspects of the year. Be sure to take the time to celebrate big and small victories together. Modeling this task sets a positive example for your child. Also, take a look at your daily routines and how they currently serve you as a family as well as interests your child would like to explore. Below are ideas for New Year’s resolutions for both your children and the family as a whole.Family Goals:
- Tech Free Time:
- Enjoy tech free time where you do an activity as a family without electronics. Ideas for tech free time could be to play a board game, go on an outdoor scavenger hunt, or bake a recipe together.
- Read Every Day:
- Take a trip to the library as a family to check out story books and chapter books for every member of the family. Set aside a time each day that you read together or independently. Keep a chart that helps children track their reading progress and stay motivated with how far they’ve come.
- Kind Acts:
- Acts of kindness is a positive activity that is also very rewarding. Consider community service projects you can complete as a family. Another option is to create a calendar with a kindness challenge to complete each day. Share your stories at the end of the day as you gather together for a meal.
New Year's Resolutions for Preschoolers:
- Picking up toys and placing them where they belong after playtime
- Try new foods on my plate at mealtime
- Eat fruits and vegetables of all different colors each day
- Find ways to lend a helping hand each day
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Click the link in order to open the PDF of this month's Growing Together Newsletter for parents of young children. It includes tips, articles, and a calendar of activities.
Link to newsletter: Jan 25
