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New Year Resolutions and Goal Setting Blog
Posted by CASE for Kids on 1/31/2025 5:00:00 PMEach year many people and their family members make New Year’s Resolutions. The Webster’s Dictionary defines New Year’s Resolution as simply “a promise to do something differently in the new year.” This process often involves starting or implementing a positive form of behavior or the elimination of a negative habit. Initially this vow is taken sincerely, yet as the days progress, the oath may start to fade.
The most common resolutions are often regarding improving personal health, providing services to the needy, or to improve or finances. Specific examples might include to exercise more, lose weight, get organized, learn a new skill, save money, or volunteer with an agency in need. There are countless other practices people may promise to implement; however, the new habits seldom seem to last throughout the year. Despite this trend, the practice of making a New Years resolution often encourages the practice of self-reflection.
As it pertains to the after-school setting, the New Year occurs at the beginning of the Spring Semester. By this time most students are familiar with the program elements, norms and staff. The new semester provides the site coordinators with the opportunity to adjust their service delivery if needed. Jessica Boschen, an author, educator, and blogger, describes the New Year as the perfect time for kids to have opportunities to reflect on their growth and set goals for the future. Reflection activities can help children build confidence, develop new habits, and learn the value of perseverance.
Some suggested resolutions students can strive to achieve include academic goals, health and fitness goals, and personal growth goals. The key to assisting youth with their resolutions is for adults in their lives to be a resource for guidance and support towards them identifying their goals. It should be emphasized to the students that resolutions are personal, meaningful and achievable. The following are tips to help youth choose and develop their goals:
- Start Small: Encourage children to pick one or maybe two resolutions at a time.
- Be Specific: Help kids narrow it down to something specific, like “practice math for 10 minutes daily.”
- Make Goals Measurable: Goals that can be tracked (e.g., “read one book each month”) give kids a sense of accomplishment when completed.
- Write Them Down: Having a visual reminder of their resolutions helps kids stay on track.
- Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge milestones along the way to keep kids motivated.
- Be a Role Model: Share your own resolutions and talk about how you plan to achieve them.
- Be Flexible: If a resolution isn’t working, help them adjust it rather than abandon it altogether.
Setting New Year’s resolutions can be a wonderful opportunity for children to learn responsibility, persistence, and the importance of self-reflection. With the support of programs staff, youth feel supported, as they work toward achieving their goals. Let’s resolve for 2025 that after school programs are a place to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Reference:
Jessica Boschen, What I Have Learned blog available at https://whatihavelearnedteaching.com