Another year has come and gone, and families are implementing new resolutions and goals for the new year. Your preschooler shouldn’t be excluded from this process just because they are young. Teach your child about New Year’s resolutions and how to stick with them.
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 have different resolutions. Help your preschooler to come up with goals that are appropriate for their age and wants. They could be having a healthier diet, which can pertain to the whole family, or keeping his/her room cleaner, or even making a priority to read every night together. Learning to have resolutions at a young age helps them to focus on higher goals as they age.
Set an Example
Children learn by example. If you encourage your preschooler to make resolutions and stick with them, it’s important that parents do it too. Seeing parents and other family members making an effort to honor their resolutions can motivate your little ones to do it too.
Focus on Progress
No resolutions are honored all the time. Humans slip up, but focus on the positives and accomplishments your child is making. Children love when their accomplishments are acknowledged. Praise for making progress helps to improve their self-esteem and even motivate them to keep going.
Do you and your family have any New Year’s Resolutions that you are trying to stick to this year? If so let us know in the comments below!