Photo from Unsplash

Originally Posted On: https://bippermedia.com/east-finchley/new-year-new-you-new-years-resolutions-for-kids/

 

New Year, New You: New Year’s Resolutions for Kids!

As the year comes to an end, many people start thinking about ways they can improve themselves in the new year. This tradition is called making New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are promises or goals you set for yourself to become better, learn something new, or achieve something important. While adults often make resolutions about exercising more or saving money, kids can also make their own special goals for the year ahead. Let’s explore why resolutions are important and how kids can make fun, achievable ones to start the year off right!

Why Make Resolutions?

Resolutions are like a roadmap that helps you figure out where you want to go and what you want to achieve. Setting goals gives you something to work toward and helps you build good habits. For kids, resolutions can make the new year exciting because they bring opportunities to:

• Learn Something New: Trying a new hobby or skill is a great way to grow and discover what you enjoy.
• Build Confidence: Accomplishing goals, big or small, makes you feel proud and capable.
• Make a Positive Difference: Resolutions can help you be kinder to others and the world around you.
• Stay Healthy and Happy: Setting goals about healthy habits can make your body and mind feel great.

How to Make Good Resolutions

Making resolutions is easy and fun, but it’s important to choose goals that are realistic and meaningful. Here are some tips to help kids make resolutions they can stick to:

• Think About What Matters to You: Choose resolutions that are important and exciting to you, not just what others suggest. This makes it easier to stay motivated.
• Keep It Simple: Instead of making a long list of resolutions, pick one or two goals that feel manageable.
• Make It Specific: Instead of saying, “I want to be healthier,” say, “I will eat one extra serving of vegetables each day.” Specific goals are easier to track.
• Break It Down: Big goals can seem overwhelming, so break them into smaller steps. For example, if you want to read more books, start with one book a month.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Every step toward your goal is an achievement worth celebrating. This keeps you motivated and happy.

Fun and Creative Resolutions for Kids

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some ideas for fun and meaningful resolutions for kids:

Be a Helper

• Help around the house by keeping your room clean or setting the table for dinner.
• Offer to help a friend or sibling with homework or chores.
• Volunteer for small acts of kindness, like donating toys you no longer use to children in need.

Get Active

• Spend 20 minutes a day playing outside or trying a new sport.
• Set a goal to master a new skill, like riding a bike or learning to swim.
• Take family walks after dinner to enjoy fresh air and exercise.

Learn Something New

• Pick a hobby like drawing, baking, or building with LEGO and practice it regularly.
• Learn a new language or try out a musical instrument.
• Challenge yourself to memorize a fun fact or joke each week to share with friends.

Be Kind

• Write thank-you notes to people who make you happy, like your teacher or a friend.
• Compliment someone every day to spread kindness.
• Say “please” and “thank you” more often to show good manners.

Take Care of Yourself

• Brush your teeth twice a day and remember to floss.
• Drink more water instead of sugary drinks.
• Spend less time on screens and more time playing games or reading.

Help the Environment

• Recycle paper, plastic, and cans at home.
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room to save energy.
• Plant a tree or start a small garden to help the planet.

Keeping Your Resolutions

It’s exciting to make resolutions, but keeping them can sometimes be tricky. Here are some tips to help kids stay on track:

• Write Them Down: Create a colorful poster or chart with your resolutions and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day, like your bedroom wall or the fridge.
• Ask for Support: Tell your family or friends about your resolutions so they can cheer you on and help you stay motivated.
• Set Reminders: Use sticky notes or alarms to remind you about your goals. For example, a note on your bathroom mirror can remind you to floss your teeth.
• Be Flexible: It’s okay if you forget or make a mistake. Just try again and keep going. Every step forward counts!

A New Year’s Resolution Story

Let’s meet Alex, an 8-year-old who decided to make a few resolutions for the new year. Alex loved spending time on video games but wanted to try new things. Here were Alex’s resolutions:

1. Spend one hour less on video games each day.
2. Learn to bake cookies with mom.
3. Help clean up toys after playing.

At first, it was hard for Alex to spend less time on video games, but Alex’s mom made it easier by scheduling fun activities like baking and outdoor games. Soon, Alex started to enjoy these new hobbies and felt proud of the delicious cookies they made together. By the end of the year, Alex had learned not only how to bake but also how to balance playtime with other activities.

Celebrate Your Success

As you work on your resolutions, don’t forget to celebrate your progress. Whether it’s reading your first book, helping your parents with chores, or being kinder to others, every accomplishment is worth a cheer. You can:

• Have a mini party with your family.
• Reward yourself with a favorite treat or activity.
• Share your success with friends and inspire them to make their own resolutions.

Why Resolutions Matter

New Year’s resolutions are more than just a list of goals. They’re a way to learn and grow, build confidence, and make the world around you a little better. For kids, resolutions can be an exciting challenge that teaches valuable lessons about responsibility, creativity, and perseverance. As the new year begins, take a moment to think about what you want to achieve. With a little effort and a lot of fun, you can turn your resolutions into a reality and make this year your best one yet. Happy New Year!

From infancy through preschool, we make early education and daycare joyful, engaging and fun! Since 2002, The Learning Experience has been positively impacting the lives of children ages 12 weeks to five years by developing and implementing ground-breaking childcare and early education programmes. Our proprietary L.E.A.P. (Learning Experience Academic Programme) curriculum encourages children to learn in their favourite way: by exploring and doing and focuses on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) seven areas of learning. It engages children in hands-on learning activities that encourage them to explore and solve problems at their own rate of development. This forms a foundation for children to Learn, Play and Grow under the care of our nurturing early years educators and staff. Learn more about our TLE UK Centres here!