10 New Year’s Resolutions for Children

January 3, 2023

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Children

To celebrate the New Year, parents might decide to make a resolution and embark on a journey of changing a bad habit or embracing better habits. Children might also be interested in making a resolution, and the American Academy of Pediatrics even offers a list of resolutions that are appropriate for different age groups.

To simplify the idea of a resolution, the Academy explains that children can instead think of their resolution as a goal. What are some simple goals for children? Here are 10 New Year’s resolutions (or goals!) for children to welcome in 2023:

  • Floss regularly
  • Keep their room tidy
  • Set a bedtime and follow it
  • Put homework as the first priority
  • Learn a new language
  • Learn a musical instrument
  • Read more books

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Children

Drink More Water

While many adults might think that the daily beverage goal should focus on drinking eight eight-ounce glasses (or 64 ounces), children need less to drink per day than adults. Toddlers (age 1 to 3) only need four cups daily, while older children (ages 4 to 8) need seven to eight cups.

As Healthy Children explains, though, these recommendations vary per the humidity and temperature. Children who are out in the heat will need to stay hydrated.

Children might drink juice or milk throughout the day. Some might love soda. Swapping out one soda or juice serving for water throughout the day for water can be beneficial. Milk, however, has its own benefits, and pediatricians recommend that children (ages two to five) drink 16 to 20 ounces of cow’s milk per day.

Water is sugar-free and great for health. To help support their child’s goal of drinking more water, parents could buy them a reusable water bottle. These bottles come in all types of designs and colors; some even feature favorite characters.

Floss Regularly

Flossing helps keep the gums healthy, although children might not always remember to floss daily. To help children meet a goal of regular flossing, parents can buy them fun flossers. These offer an easy grip handle and a top section that holds a secure thread of floss to help them easily navigate the floss between their teeth.

Stanford Children’s Hospital recommends that parents start flossing their child’s teeth when young children have teeth that come together. The hospital explains that children might not be able to floss on their own until around ages 8 to 10.

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Children

Keep the Room Tidy

Children can set a goal to keep their room clean. This goal might require them to simply get into the habit of cleaning up their space.

To simplify this goal, children could set a specified time for tidying. Maybe right before they go to bed, they pick up their toys and place any clothes in the hamper.

Set a Bedtime and Follow It

According to the Centers for Disease Control, children ages 6 to 12 should clock between nine to 12 hours of sleep each night. Teens (13 to 18) need eight to 10 hours of sleep per night. If children are groggy in the morning, they might not be getting the proper amount of sleep.

Children can set a sleep goal. This might mean that they establish a set time to begin a sleep routine. Younger children who need to wake up by 7 a.m. might start their sleep routine 12 hours prior at 7 p.m. While they might not need a full 12 hours of sleep, they should allow plenty of time to prepare for sleep.

Teens can be more mindful about their nighttime routine, too. They can begin their routine 10 hours before they need to wake up to ensure that they have plenty of time to relax and fall asleep. They might lie in bed and read before turning off the lights or maybe they listen to soothing music.

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Children

Try a New Sport or Activity

Children need physical activity for good health, and pediatricians recommend that children engage in at least one hour of physical activity (moderate or vigorous) per day. For many children, PE and recess might provide them with enough daily activity. Other children are active in sports and could get even more than an hour of activity per day.

If children aren’t getting enough activity and tend to be sedentary, they might make a goal to learn a new sport or activity to move their body more. There are so many sports and activities that can encourage movement and physical exercise. Children can explore their options to find something that interests them.

Eat more Fruits and Veggies

Ideally, everyone’s plate should offer a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. However, not all children or adults eat enough fruits and veggies each day.

Children might set a goal to broaden their appetites by adding in more fruits and vegetables each day. Parents might let them pick out new types of produce to explore a variety of flavors. Children and parents also could grow a produce garden and enjoy their own harvest.

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Children

Put Homework as the First Priority

Many children need time to decompress after school—this is normal. However, some might get in the habit of putting their homework off until the end of the evening. They might feel tired and not be able to focus as easily.

Children who procrastinate in completing their schoolwork could set a goal to put this as their first priority (after they relax). Children might set a schedule for completing their homework, and this schedule can help them tackle all their assignments.

Learn a New Language

Some children are interested in learning a new language. Becoming bilingual or trilingual could help children when they become adults. Learning a new language might even help children better understand their own language and its intricacies.

There are many available resources for learning a language. Children might be able to take online courses or parents could explore classes nearby.

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Children

Learn a Musical Instrument

Learning a musical instrument can make you smarter. Plus, learning to play a musical instrument can just be fun for a child. Learning to play an instrument also could encourage them to get involved in band programs in high school, too.

Young children might start off learning to play a recorder. Older children might be interested in learning to play the piano or another instrument.

Read More Books

Children might be required to read each night as part of their daily school assignments. Unfortunately, children could start to equate reading with homework. To welcome the New Year, children might make a goal to view reading in a new binding.

Maybe they set a goal to read new types of books or reading materials. Perhaps they start reading poetry or try reading mystery novels. They can set a goal to read more books or just to explore different genres.

As children read more, they might discover that they are drawn to a certain series or a particular author. Encourage children to explore graphic novels, too. For children who get overwhelmed with lots of text, these novels provide illustrations that break up the text.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has many more New Year’s goals that can encourage children to embrace new habits or maybe break up with old bad habits. Parents also can set their own goals for the to welcome 2023 and usher in some positive changes.