Setting New Year Goals with Children

One of the most rewarding parts of being a parent is watching your kids grow up and learn to become who they are. Teaching your child how to set goals will help them decide what’s important to them, so they can achieve their goals and become exactly who they want to be!

For kids, setting goals can be a lot of fun—and it doesn’t need to be complicated at all. Just set some time aside with your child (it could be as little as 10 minutes) and ask them about their hopes and dreams for the new year.

Here are a few tips for helping your children work through conflicts:

• Encourage them to set attainable goals

One of the best things about little kids is that they have incredible imaginations and often shoot for the stars! Your little one might want to set the goal of becoming a famous pop star, traveling to a cool place they saw in a movie, or meeting their favorite superhero. Instead of discouraging their wildest dreams, suggest an attainable alternative: take a singing lesson, go on a family vacation, or visit a theme park where they can see people dressed up as their favorite characters.

• Let them choose their own goals

Your child will be much more likely to stick with their resolutions if they are something that really matters to them – not just because you told them what you thought was best! If your child asks for suggestions, consider offering some ideas but ultimately let them pick their own goals. Then, support their efforts by helping them figure out which steps they need to take next.

• Make it fun!

Encourage your child to think about what they want to achieve this year and how they can make those dreams come true. Then, ask them how they want to celebrate when they achieve their goal. This will make the experience even more rewarding!

IMAGINE EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

Here at Imagine, we are no stranger to conflict between children. Our caregivers are experts in conflict resolution and have excellent strategies for helping kids work through big emotions. Contact us today for more information!