New Year’s Resolutions for Kids

New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for adults. Making resolutions with your child can be a fun exercise that provides great insight into your child’s goals and dreams.

To start the conversation, consider discussing the things that your child has done well during the past year and build from there. What can your child do today that he or she was unable to do a year ago? Ask your child how he or she was able to achieve this success. Was it by putting in a little extra work or effort throughout the year?

Then, ask your child what he or she would like to be able to do a year from now. Help your child to formulate an action plan to show how to work toward accomplishing the resolution.

For some examples to help guide your child in making a resolution, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)’s Healthy Children program suggests the following age-appropriate New Year’s resolutions for kids:

Sample New Year’s Resolutions for Preschoolers

• Pick up toys and put them where they belong when not in use.
• Brush teeth twice a day, and wash hands after going to the bathroom.
• Talk with mom or dad or another trusted adult when feeling scared or needing help.
• Be nice to kids who need a friend.

Sample New Year’s Resolutions for Ages 5 to 12

• Limit drinking soda and fruit drinks that are high in sugar to only special occasions.
• Put on sunscreen before spending significant amounts of time outdoors.
• Play a sport or engage in an activity and commit to doing so at least three times a week.
• Be friendly to kids who may have difficulty making friends by asking them to join in activities.
• Follow the household rules for using videogames and the Internet.

Sample New Year’s Resolutions for Teens

• Eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables every day.
• Reduce the amount of time spent watching television and playing video games to one to two hours maximum each day.
• Find a charitable cause to support and volunteer time within the community.
• Follow the “golden rule” and treat other people with respect.
• Resist peer pressure to try cigarettes, drugs and alcohol.
• Don’t text and drive at the same time, and always wear a seat belt.