Help your child set new year goals
Today is the last day in 2022 and it is a good day to help your child set his or her 2023 goals. Even as adults make projections for the coming year financially, in careers, and even in retirement plans, your preschooler, pre-teen, and teen kids should not be left out.
Goal setting is an important part of any child’s development as it teaches them how to be responsible. They learn to make commitments and how to follow through with such obligations. Setting a New Year’s resolution is a prime example of an important goal, and it is best to start this habit from a young age.
It is essential for you to sit down with your child and, together, pick goals he wants to set as his New Year’s resolutions. If it’s too overwhelming to think of them as resolutions, then just talk about them as goals and make it fun. Involving your child in decision-making and making them fun for the entire family can help turn these resolutions into long-lasting habits.
Here are some healthy and positive goal-setting resolution ideas you can suggest to your child:
I will keep my room clean.
I will keep good grades in school.
I will have a fruit or veggie with every meal.
I will try new foods.
I will go to bed at a decent hour.
I will exercise for at least a half hour each day.
I will eat my veggies even if I don’t like them, because I know they’re good for me!
I will be sure to do my homework before anything else after school.
I will take better notes in class.
I will pay better attention to the teacher and less attention to my friends during class time.
I will study my notes after school.
I will help my mum cook dinner at least three times a week.
I will do all of my chores.
I will be nicer to my sister and brother.
If I feel like I’m getting mad, I will walk away and calm down.
I will watch less TV.
I will put things away when I’m done using them.
I will brush my teeth each morning and night.
I will get into good hand-washing habits.
I will find a hobby to do on rainy days so I’m not telling mom “I’m bored!”
I’ll be nice to every kid; even the ones that are bullied by others, I’ll be their friend.
I will memorise my address and phone number, and never give these out to strangers!
I will be actively involved in my community, even if it’s simply picking up garbage on the streets.
I will talk openly about my feelings.
I will resist peer pressure and be a positive influence on my friends.
I won’t talk back at my parents.
I will not tease my little brother.
I will be more organised in everything I do.
If I need help, I will ask for it.
I will read a new book (each day, week, month, whichever is age appropriate).
While setting these goals, note that reminders are absolutely necessary. Ensure that you help your child work through them, send in reminders when necessary. Write them down and paste them in appropriate places in the home and constantly encourage your child to achieve his goals.
See you in the New Year.
