The dawn of a new year is a great time to broach the subject of realistic goal-setting with your children. Understanding how to work towards sustainable, positive changes is an important life skill that benefits people of all ages, from preschoolers to adults. Unfortunately, many of us fail to uphold our New Year’s resolutions past January – typically because we haven’t laid the groundwork to make these goals last. Below are some ideas for how you can make age-appropriate resolutions as a family to make the year ahead happier and healthier than ever.
Think S.M.A.R.T
Instead of rushing into making typical resolutions, try setting S.M.A.R.T goals instead:
- Specific: List exactly what you want to accomplish, for example, instead of “get better at running” try “run 5k in under 30 minutes”.
- Measurable: How will you keep track of your goals and determine whether you’ve achieved them?
- Achievable: Your resolutions don’t have to be easy, but they need to be within reason. Do you have the means to make your dreams a reality?
- Relevant: Does this resolution serve any overarching goals or your greater purpose in life?
- Time-bound: Giving yourself a deadline motivates you to reach milestones by certain dates.
Resolutions For Preschoolers
Children from ages 3 to 5 naturally might have issues sticking to long-term resolutions, however, thinking about a few small goals to work on every day is an effective strategy for this age group. You could put a sticker chart on the fridge to help them keep track of their progress, and plan out a reward if they’re successful. Some examples of healthy, achievable New Year’s resolutions for preschoolers include:
- I will put away all of my toys before bedtime.
- I will brush my teeth twice a day.
- I will wash my hands after going to the toilet and before eating.
- I will try all the food on my plate, even if it’s just one bite.
- I will work on learning my letters and numbers for at least five minutes per day.
Resolutions For Families
It can be useful to set New Year’s resolutions to work on as a family. Include your children in the process of setting goals in order to form healthy habits together. Here are some simple ideas:
- We will add eating at least one piece of fresh fruit a day to our routine.
- We will spend 20-30 minutes outside playing together every weeknight. If it’s raining, we will play an active game indoors.
- We will share a meal (be it breakfast or dinner) together at least 3 times a week. Phones or other distractions will not be allowed at the table.
- We will play a board game or other activity together every Sunday night to bond and spend quality time together.
Looking For ‘Preschools Near Me’?
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to help your child develop their social skills, why not give nursery or pre-school a try? At Little Acorns Day Nursery, we provide a home away from home for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. The children in our care are supported by dedicated, highly-trained and committed staff who, above all else, are determined to provide your child with the same care and attention that they would receive at home. To learn more about our sessions, contact us today.
