And just like that… it’s 2025.
2024 went by so quickly for so many of us! There’s hardly been any time to reflect on what a year we’ve had, let alone setting resolutions for the year ahead. But, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably feeling slightly overwhelmed by the thought of setting goals for the next 365 days. It can be hard to know where to start and what to focus on when so many things are vying for our attention!
At Creekside Kids, we’re big believers in developing routines and rituals with children. We believe children feel safe and secure when they have a predictable schedule. They know what to expect and can rely on their parents to provide for them. This is especially important during times of transition, like starting school or moving to a new home. But it’s also important in everyday life! When kids know what’s coming next, they’re less likely to get upset or frustrated when things don’t go as planned.
Introducing change to a child can sometimes be challenging. If you are establishing a change that will impact your children, consider introducing the ritual of New Year’s Resolutions to your child. It’s an excellent opportunity to teach the concept of setting, measuring, and achieving goals.
Why Do We Make Resolutions?
As you know, a New Year’s resolution is a tradition in which individuals set goals or promises to themselves to improve their lives or behavior in the coming year. These resolutions can relate to a variety of aspects of life, including health, personal development, and relationships. They spend their year milestoning benchmarks of their achievements related to their goal(s).
As adults, we often make New Year’s resolutions to foster positive change in our lives. According to a study published by the University of Scranton, 45% of Americans make resolutions yearly. Common resolutions include:
- Improving health: such as eating healthier or exercising more
- Managing finances: saving money or reducing debt
- Personal growth: learning new skills or hobbies
- Strengthening relationships: spending more quality time with family
These resolutions are goals we set to create happier, healthier lives for ourselves and our families.
Teaching Children About Resolutions
It’s important to introduce the concept of New Year’s resolutions to children in a positive, compassionate, and sensible way. Here are some tips on how to involve young children in the tradition of making resolutions:
- Use Simple Language
Start by explaining what a resolution is in simple terms. You might say, “A resolution is a promise you make to yourself to try to do something better or to help others more.” You could ask your child if they have something they would like to do better or to help others and partner with your child in achieving a goal.
- Make it Fun and Relatable
Please help your child choose fun and appropriate resolutions for their age. For example:
Personal Responsibility: “I will make my bed every morning.”
Health-focused: “I will try to eat more colorful fruits and veggies.”
Learning New Skills: “I will practice drawing animals.”
- Model Positive Behavior
Children learn from observing others, especially adults, and most importantly, their parents. Share your resolutions with your child and let them see you work towards your goals. This helps them understand the importance of commitment and perseverance. It is very helpful for them to see you make a mistake and then acknowledge it and move on with an intention to improve.
- Create a Family Tradition
Make setting resolutions a family activity. You could have a special family dinner where each member shares their resolutions. This makes it a bonding experience and reinforces a positive family culture around goal setting.
- Celebrate Small Wins
Please set up a reward system to celebrate when your child progresses on their resolutions. Positive reinforcement encourages ongoing effort and commitment.
- Be Compassionate About Changes
Change can sometimes be stressful for children. Reassure them that it’s okay to struggle and that making mistakes is a natural part of learning. Keep the atmosphere encouraging and stress-free. Letting your child see you make mistakes, acknowledging them, and moving on is key. They learn that no one is perfect and we all need a team.
- Keep it Consistent
Reviewing progress on resolutions can be a part of your routine. Whether it’s a weekly family meeting or a monthly check-in, consistency helps keep the resolutions on track.
Resources and References
Here are some helpful resources for making resolutions with your children:
American Psychological Association (APA): Offers tips for setting goals with children.
PBS Parents: Provides activities and advice on making resolutions with kids.
Zero to Three: Explains the importance of routines and goals for young children.
Involving your preschoolers in the New Year’s resolutions tradition can help them build essential life skills, such as goal setting and perseverance, while also developing a closer family bond. Remember, the goal is to keep it positive, fun, and age-appropriate. Here’s to a year filled with growth, love, and joyful learning!
Thank you for being a part of our Creekside Kids community, and we wish you and your family success on your resolutions this year! If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
1201 W Cheyenne Rd