You’re never too young to dream big! At the Collaborative for Children, we believe that even our youngest learners can benefit from setting New Year’s resolutions and making commitments to their friends and family. Encouraging preschool children to create simple, achievable goals helps them develop skills that they will carry for a lifetime.
Setting new resolutions promote essential skills in young children, including:
Perseverance
Working toward a goal teaches children to overcome obstacles. Whether learning to tidy up their toys or trying a new vegetable, each effort builds resilience.
Planning
Breaking down goals into manageable tasks introduces young minds to essential planning. A resolution like “I’ll read one book a day” helps them learn to structure their time.
Achieving small, age-appropriate goals boosts self-esteem. Every success reinforces a child’s belief in their abilities, creating momentum for future accomplishments.
Family Connection
Making resolutions as a family strengthens bonds. It models teamwork and shows children that setting goals is a shared journey.
Here are a few ideas for resolutions your little one can embrace:
“I will play with the family pet every day.”
“I will create a new drawing each week for the family room.”
“I will say ‘thank you’ and ‘please.'”
“I will try one new food each week.”
“I will wash my hands before eating.”
“I will put away my toys after playtime.”
Write down these goals and display them prominently in the home to serve as a reminder of the opportunity for personal growth and renewed commitment.
Make target-making and goal-setting an annual family tradition! Reflect on the past year, celebrate your achievements, and discuss new aspirations together. Communicate openly with your family to agree on goals and resolutions as a group. This could include plans like saving together for a family vacation or working towards earning the responsibility to adopt a new pet. When children observe their caregivers setting and achieving goals, it nurtures a growth mindset and resilience.
Establishing early goals lays the groundwork for lifelong success, one step at a time. Start this New Year by helping your child set a goal. They might surprise you with their determination and enthusiasm!
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