04 Jan Montessori Resolutions for 2023

Happy New Year from Meadow Montessori! A brand new year beginning means it is time to set New Year’s resolutions for 2023. Common in the US, New Year’s resolutions are a tradition in which you set short and long-term goals for the upcoming year. While they are widespread for adults, what do resolutions look like for our little ones? Meadow Montessori School is here to guide parents and educators through how to explain resolutions to toddlers and some ideas.

How Do You Explain a New Year’s Resolution to Preschoolers?

For small children, the concept of a New Year’s Resolution can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! Because small children don’t grasp the concept of time and commitment, we can rephrase it as an intention; when explaining to our preschoolers, we can encourage them to try their best. Here are five tips and tricks to use when coming up with resolutions.

1. Be a Resolution Role Model

It is essential to lead by example. According to Forbes, most adults struggle to stick to their resolutions. Setting small, achievable goals and habit builders are fantastic ways of modeling your children’s goal behaviors, keeping you and them on track. Our little ones will stick to their goals best if they are encouraged not through time frames but with small, achievable goals throughout the week. For example, instead of “I will learn to read by June,” we can reframe it to “I will work on letter sounds every week, so I can learn to read.”

2. Keep Resolutions Positive

New Year’s Resolutions should never feel like punishments. Rather than dwelling on skills your child can improve, focus on the strides they made last year and see how they would like to build upon them. Children should be excited to follow up on their goals and pursue them rather than feel like they are a chore.

3. Set a “SMART” Goal

If you need help figuring out where to begin, the acronym SMART for setting goals is a great place to start. SMART stands for:

• Specific Make sure your resolution is specific with a clear direction and purpose.
• Measurable A great place to start making a goal is to make it something that can be done daily or have a specific amount of time dedicated.
• Achievable While being creative and coming up with goals can be fun, ensure they are achievable for your small child.
• Relevant Ensure that it aligns with your child’s goals, whether with gross motor skills or reading.
• Time-Bound This is an easy one! Make short and long-term goals applicable to months, seasons, or the entire year.

4. Suggest Resolutions – Don’t Dictate Them

Your preschooler may struggle with creating resolutions of their own. You mustn’t command and create goals for them. Patience and guidance go a long way in building habits for your little ones. Setting and achieving goals is a lifelong skill never too early to develop.

5. Follow Up on Resolutions

Sticking to New Year’s resolutions takes a lot of work. Many adults struggle with sticking to their goals. Make a check-in sheet and visit it every month to see what aspects have been accomplished and what can be improved upon.

Montessori education strives to give children tools to become independent, responsible, and critical thinkers. If you are located in Richmond, TX, and surrounding areas, contact Meadow Montessori to learn more today!

Preschooler New Year’s Resolutions Ideas

Getting started with New Year Resolutions for small children can take time and effort. Meadow Montessori compiled this list to help you get started!

• I will put away my toys after playing with them.
• I will make my bed every morning.
• I will always say thank you when someone gives me something.
• I will always try at least one bite of new foods.
• I will learn new sounds every week to help me with reading.
• My family and I will visit our grandparents every week.

Resolutions in the Home

Your toddler’s goals don’t just have to be personal. You can make family-wide resolutions to stick with to help continue to be resolution role models in the home! Whether you want to make sure you have at least two family cooking nights every week, everyone in the family does a power 15 minutes of tidying up every day, or you collectively cut out junk food, goals can be adjusted and relevant to your family’s needs.

Goal Jar

A goal jar is an easy family activity that will make the little ones feel heard! With this activity, everyone comes up with family-oriented goals, ranging from cooking a meal together, having a dedicated reading night, volunteering, and even building a pillow fort. At the beginning of the month, pull a goal out and bond over the family goal. Make sure the goals aren’t time sensitive so they can be done every month.

Monthly Challenges

Monthly challenges are achievable, small goals that are set for the family! It could be dedicated to trying new foods, reading books, or visiting family and friends.

Bucket List

Making a list of potential family trips, vacations, and local activities is a lovely way to ring in the new year. This allows children to learn more about geography, our local community, and their interests.

Resolutions in the Classroom

During this time of year, Meadow Montessori will also remind children of classroom rules and resolutions. Classroom goals include:

• Respecting the peacefulness of the classroom and working quietly.
• Respecting and cleaning the classroom when necessary, including everyone during recess.
• Encouraging others to be kind every day.

Celebrate the New Year with Meadow Montessori

At Meadow Montessori, we want our children and parents to succeed. Making resolutions, being accountable, and following goals through are concepts that don’t disappear as we age. It is essential to teach young children that they are capable, gifted, driven, and responsible.

If you live in Richmond, TX, or surrounding communities, consider contacting Meadow Montessori School today for more information!