New Year's Resolutions & Building Good Habits with Preschoolers

12/12/2023

New Year's Resolutions & Building Good Habits with Preschoolers

As we ring in a new year, it's not only a time for personal reflection and resolutions but also an excellent opportunity to guide our preschoolers towards building positive habits. Join us in this blog post as we navigate teaching preschoolers about good habits and establishing New Year's resolutions tailored specifically for preschoolers. In this blog post, we'll unravel effective strategies and creative approaches to instill habits that not only enhance their early development but also set the stage for a lifetime of positive choices.

New Year's resolutions are a tradition for many, and are usually personal commitments or goals set at the beginning of a new year with the aim of self-improvement. We can simplify the concept of resolutions for preschoolers. For our little learners, resolutions become promises to explore new adventures, learn exciting things, or adopt habits that foster growth. The simplicity and playfulness of their resolutions, creates a space where the focus is on the joy of discovery rather than the rigor of achievement. It's an opportunity to instill the idea that personal growth can be both achievable and fun, while laying the groundwork for positive habits.

What are New Year's Resolutions?

Resolutions can be a complex topic for preschoolers to grasp. So, how do we explain it in a way that makes sense to younger children? We can explain New Year's resolutions as magic promises we make to ourselves as we welcome a brand-new year.

Imagine it as a special list of exciting things we want to do or learn. Resolutions are the fun adventures we plan for the year ahead, whether it's learning to tie shoelaces or reading ten new books. So, when we talk about resolutions, think of them as our very own plans for the new year.

Here are 3 examples:
1.Suggest that your preschooler sets a resolution to learning a new letter each week, practicing writing it, and discovering words that start with that letter.
2. Preschoolers can make a pledge to be a "Healthy Snack Star" by choosing fruits, vegetables, or other wholesome snacks over sugary treats during snack time.
3. Encourage your preschooler to strengthen friendships by making a resolution to play with a different classmate each week.

Age-Appropriate Resolutions:

One of the most important aspects of setting resolutions with preschoolers is that they are achievable and appropriate. Age-appropriate resolutions take into account their current abilities, helping set goals that are realistic and achievable based on their developmental stage.

You will also want to make sure they are simple enough. Here are a few resolutions you can suggest:

Sharing toys with friends.
Trying a new fruit or vegetable.
Learning a new song or rhyme.
Cleaning up toys before bedtime.
Trying a new hobby.
Making a new friend.
Learning a new skill.

Involving Parents and Caregivers

The connection between home and school is one of the strongest opportunities to create a resilient support system for your preschool students. Actively involve parents in the process of setting resolutions or invite them join their child by setting a resolution together. You can create a simple tracking sheet for preschoolers to monitor their progress or have a weekly reminder sent home to ask parents to do a quick check-in about the progress towards the resolution.

Making Resolutions Fun

As early educators we have a passion for creating activities that are play-based and fun for our preschool students. Creating resolutions is no exception, transforming resolutions into exciting and enjoyable activities for preschoolers sparks their imagination and enthusiasm for setting goals and establishing good habits.

Prior to planning New Year's resolutions do a few activities to help preschoolers understand the meaning behind New Year's Day and the traditions that are celebrated. On ourNew Year's Theme Planning Page there are a many different activities and crafts that you can use in your classrooms or at home.

Squirrel's New Year's Resolution
Kick off your resolution setting with a great book! One of our favorite books about New Year's Resolutions is Squirrel's New Year's Resolution by Pat Miller. This story follows a little squirrel that is trying to decide what his New Year's resolution will be. Along the way he helps his friends in many ways. Our Free Squirrel's New Year's Resolution Pre-K Book Companion set includes a variety of discussion questions and highlighted vocabulary to explore after reading this book.

Free New Year's Resolution Book Companion in the Shop!

This free printable book companion also includes a writing and drawing prompt for preschoolers to create their own resolution.

After you've done your activities and introduction to the celebration and meaning behind New Year's your preschoolers will be ready to dive into setting their resolutions. When it comes to establishing the resolutions, there are a ton of different ways to make the process fun.

Here are a few ideas:

Creating a colorful resolution chart.
Decorating a resolution jar with stickers.
Incorporating storytelling or drawing into the resolution-setting process.

Celebrating Small Achievements

Celebrate the big and small achievements! Recognizing preschooler's progress, whether it's taking a bite of a new food or mastering a small task, fuels their confidence and enthusiasm. To make these celebrations extra special, consider incorporating simple activities like a sticker or treating them to something sweet. These gestures not only make the process of setting and achieving resolutions more enjoyable but also instill in them the joy of celebrating their accomplishments, no matter how small.

Celebrate Small Achievements!

Tips for Keeping Resolutions

As adults we are familiar with the challenges that come with setting resolutions...sometimes they take the back burner. It's really important to teach our preschoolers the importance of setting a goal and following through. Here are a few tips for keeping resolutions with preschoolers.

Create a Visual Reminder: Design a colorful chart or poster displaying their resolutions, making it a fun and visible reminder in their daily environment.
Use Stickers or Tokens: Offer small rewards like stickers or tokens for each milestone achieved, motivating them to stay committed.
Establish Routine Check-Ins: Regularly discuss and revisit their resolutions during daily or weekly check-ins, providing an opportunity for reflection and adjustment if needed.
Introduce Fun Challenges: Turn resolution-keeping into a playful challenge. For example, make a game out of learning new words or practicing good manners.
Share Success Stories: Narrate stories of others, real or fictional, who have achieved similar goals, inspiring and motivating preschoolers through relatable examples.

Setting New Year's resolutions with preschool students is an excellent opportunity to introduce the concept of setting goals and adopting a growth mindset, two important concepts that will carry through with them as they navigate life and school. It's an opportunity for parents, caregivers, and educators to come together, fostering a supportive environment where every achievement, no matter how small, is a cause for celebration.

More New Year's Preschool Resources

Free New Year's Preschool Theme Planning Page
More New Year's Activities for Preschoolers

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