Helping kids make News Year’s resolutions
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EmailIt's almost the New Year and that means people are making New Year’s resolutions. Let’s not forget about the youth and how they too can create goals of striving to do better in the New Year as well.
An important thing to do before you start creating resolutions for the new year is to reflect on the year that is coming to an end. Michigan State University Extension suggests asking your children what they feel were the best times you had over the past year. What were some times that they might have changed? What did they learn?
The following are examples given by the American Academy of Pediatrics, as healthy ideas for New Year’s resolutions for kids.
Preschoolers
- 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.
Kids, 5- to 12-years-old
- I will drink reduced-fat milk and water every day, and drink soda and fruit drinks only on special occasions.
- I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
- I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
- I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school.
Kids, 13-years-old and up
- I will try to eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables every day. I will drink sodas only on special occasions.
- I will help out in my community – through volunteering, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.
- When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.
- To learn more about making healthy resolutions for yourself or your children visit MSU Extension.
