Courtesy of rolands.lakis (via Flickr)
New Year’s Resolutions aren’t only for adults. Writing one can be a fun activity that teaches kids the skills of goal making, working hard, and follow-through. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a great list of resolutions for kids separated by age range. Some of the best ones include:
For little ones-
- I will clean up my toys and put them where they belong.
- I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
For a little older-
- I will find a sport or an activity that I like and will do it at least three times a week.
- I will wear a helmet when bicycling.
- I will wear a seat belt every time I get in a car.
- I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name, or telephone number on the Internet.
For teenagers-
- I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day.
- I will choose non-violent shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day – at the most – on these activities.
- I will help out in my community through volunteering or joining a group.
- When faced with a difficult decision, I’ll talk about my choices with an adult I can trust.
- I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and will always treat the other person with respect.
Have your child write their resolutions down, and check in with them throughout the year on their progress.
