The new year is here! If your little one has started to learn about the practice of creating New Year’s resolutions, they may be eager to jump in on the tradition! While it may seem silly to have a preschooler create a resolution, this is actually a great time to introduce them to the basic ideas of growth and commitment. Let’s explore some things to consider when helping your little one create New Year’s resolutions!

Make It Family-Related

Preschoolers love to feel included in whatever is going on. Make a family tradition to make resolutions together based on the past year. Discuss with your preschooler what they liked and didn’t like, what they want to change or work on, and what goals they have for the upcoming year.

Make It Age-Appropriate

Different age groups will naturally have different types of goals they want to achieve with their resolutions. Help your preschooler come up with goals that are appropriate for their age and developmental stage. They could include trying new foods, keeping their room cleaner, or setting a goal to read every night together. Creating these resolutions at a young age can help children learn about personal growth and patience.

Break Goals Into Manageable Steps

Resolutions are a great opportunity to start teaching your children important lessons about how to work through long-term, complex tasks. Break their goal down into manageable steps. If their goal is to clean their room on their own every week, break it down into the steps required to clean, like making the bed, putting toys away, or putting clothes in their hamper. In addition to breaking the goal down into steps, incorporate a visual element so they can see the progress they are making toward their goal.

Focus on Progress

Acknowledging your child’s progress toward their goal is so important to keep them encouraged and focused on their goal. Praise for making progress helps to improve their self-esteem and motivates them to keep going. Focusing on progress toward long-term goals at such a young age is an incredible start to teaching your child the benefits of hard work and patience.

If you’ve had success creating resolutions with your little ones, let us know your favorite tips and tricks in the comments!