Help your child make New Year’s resolutions to promote positive behaviors from an early age.
Encouraging your son or daughter to set personal goals can help children learn important values, including self-discipline and motivation.
“As adults, we often set goals in terms of advancing in our careers, saving money and living healthy lives,” says Jill Isenberg, PhD, psychologist on staff at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Teaching kids the importance of resolutions and working toward achieving them can be a wonderful way to prepare them for circumstances they will face in the future.”
Resolutions for All Ages
The trick to helping your children create resolutions is to work together to select goals that are appropriate for their ages. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers the following suggestions for children based on age.
- Resolutions such as remembering to clean up toys after playtime are suitable for preschoolers.
- For school-aged children, incorporating self-improvement goals such as remembering to eat plenty of fruits, applying sunscreen before going outdoors, reading more books every month or being friendly to shy classmates can help build character.
- Encourage teenagers to set goals such as participating in volunteer work and avoiding dangerous substances such as alcohol and drugs to promote positive self image.