New Year's Goals

Age: Preschool through elementary
Time: 30 minutes or more
Type of activity: Language

Although many of us make individual goals for ourselves to start the New Year, making family goals is a very meaningful way to share your family's values. This activity allows your child to have a hands-on role in your family's decision-making process.

Materials needed:
· Paper
· Pen, pencil, or markers
· Post-it notes

What to Do:

Step One: Discuss what a goal is with your child. Tell her about goals you have set for yourself and why having goals is important to you. Be sure to give her concrete examples, as younger children will find this idea hard to follow.

Step Two: Discuss what a good goal for your family would be. (For example, you could decide to be more charitable to a neighbor or friend in need. Or, you could decide to just be more patient with each other.) Let your kids help brainstorm a list of goals to choose from. Remind them that there are no bad suggestions when you are brainstorming. Then set a family goal. You may decide on only one goal, or you may choose a few.

Step Three: Write your family goals on a piece of paper. Then, write the steps your family will need to take in order to reach the goal. Do this for each goal you have set. You may want to change goals every few months in order to keep them fresh.

Step Four: Post your goals on the family bulletin board or refrigerator. Every time a family member achieves a step toward a goal, write "Good Work" and the person's name on a post-it, and stick it on the list. This will generate both positive feedback for your loved one and continued discussion about the goal.

More on: Celebrating the New Year