Setting New Year's Resolutions With and For Your Kids
Dr. Angela Seabright
| 3 min read
Key Takeaways
- Parents should involve children in picking one or two age appropriate goals and call them goals, not resolutions, to keep pressure low and focus on habit building.
- A visible tracker calendar with stickers, a whiteboard or a fridge chart helps kids see progress, and specific, consistent praise reinforces effort and self-esteem.
- Emphasizing effort over outcome with simple, fun targets such as screentime limits, daily reading, active play or routine chores teaches responsibility and resilience.
People often think of adults when it comes to setting New Year's Resolutions in January, but these goals can also help children build healthy habits. Working toward goals or taking responsibility with a chore can help children with their self-esteem, resilience and work ethic.
Here are ways parents can help their children set and keep realistic goals.
How to help children set realistic goals
Parents can start by working with their children to find realistic resolutions for the new year. They can talk about one or two goals. It may help to think of them as goals rather than resolutions to reduce pressure and focus on building long-term habits.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends including children in choosing the goals and any elements of fun to keep them engaged. If the goal is related to completing a chore, for example, the reward could be extra playtime on the weekend. If there is a goal to read each day, the child gets to pick out their own books at the library.
To get started, parents can ask their children questions such as:
- What would the child like to learn?
- What is a challenge they would like to try?
- Are there chores or tasks they think they would feel proud of doing?
Setting age-appropriate goals for kids can help them be successful. A goal that is too difficult may be overwhelming to a child. For children ages five to seven, consider simple tasks or chores like tidying or reading. For eight- to 10-year-olds, children can take on more responsibilities and more complicated tasks, such as making their own snacks or taking their pet for a walk. Parents can also talk to their child’s pediatrician or primary care provider about age-appropriate milestones and goals.
How to help kids stay on track with their goals
Helping kids keep track of their goals and progress and managing slip-ups is part of the process of creating habits. By starting with a supportive structure, children learn time management and organizational skills from a young age. Consider SMART goals, or Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Trackable.
Parents and children could create a tracker for the goal, whether it’s marking off a calendar with stickers or on a whiteboard. Keep the tracker or calendar visible on the refrigerator or bathroom door as a reminder to measure progress and celebrate wins every day.
When the child completes a step in their goal or a task, offer praise. Consistent and specific praise is one of the most effective ways to motivate kids.
Setting clear expectations and gentle reminders can help set kids up for success. Family goals can also create a sense of unity and shared effort. Focusing on effort over outcome boosts a child’s self-esteem and promotes the behavior.
To help parents and kids get started, here are some ideas for healthy New Year’s resolutions:
- Setting screen time limits
- Read for 15 to 30 minutes a day
- Exercise through play or a sport for one hour a day
- Complete a chore daily or weekly
- Pick up their toys after playing
Ultimately, a goal or resolution can help a child build a sense of responsibility, self-esteem and ability to make decisions that will benefit their future growth.
Angela Seabright is a care management physician at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more health tips and information, visit AHealthierMichigan.com.
Image: Getty Images
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