Helping your child create New Year's Resolutions is the beginning of teaching your child the importance of setting goals. Goal setting is an important skill your child can take all the way in to adulthood. The following New Year tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Preschoolers
- I will clean up my toys.
- I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
- I won’t tease dogs – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.
Kids, 5- to 12-years-old
- I will drink milk and water, and limit soda and fruit drinks.
- I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
- I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car and will sit in the back seat.
- 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
- I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent’s permission.
Kids, 13-years-old and up
- I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.
- 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 notice my friends are struggling or engaging in risky behaviors, I will talk with a trusted adult and attempt to find a way that I can help them.
- I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.
- I agree not to use a cell phone or text message while driving and to always use a seat belt.
