7 New Year’s Goal Ideas for Kids

A fresh start can happen at any time throughout the year, but the turn of the calendar presents a unique opportunity to set goals and envision your ideal year ahead. And while it’s typical for adults to set resolutions and goals for the New Year—what about kids?

According to several studies, setting goals for school and life can help motivate kids with a sense of responsibility and purpose. Setting an intention and sticking to it teaches a valuable lesson that will carry students through for the rest of their lives. It can also help parents and Learning Coaches learn more about and better serve their student’s individual interests.

Goal-Setting Best Practices

The new year is a great time to set goals as a family. Let’s look at some best practices for setting goals for the new school year and turning them into actions.

Start a discussion

Engage your students in age-appropriate self-reflection and have a discussion about what their second semester goals could be.

Write it out

When you write down your goals, you are 42 percent more likely to reach them, according to a study conducted at Dominican University in California. Students can make their goals visible by writing them out on a whiteboard or posterboard and displaying it in a place where they’ll see it often.

Break it down

Try helping your student break down a goal into smaller tasks. Checking things off along the way can be a confidence booster and help keep them on track.

Celebrate the wins

Pay attention to your students’ progress throughout the year and remember to praise them for sticking to and accomplishing their goals.

7 Simple Goal Ideas for Elementary and Middle School Students

1. Try something new

New year, new experiences. Encourage your student to embrace newness in their life. This could look like anything from trying new foods at mealtimes to joining a new club.

Break it down: Since this goal is broad, help your student customize it and make it measurable. For example, “I will try one new food a month,” or “I will attend one after-school meeting for a new club.”

2. Make a new friend

For online and homeschool students, socializing can sometimes be a challenge or can be scary for kids. Friendships take time—and it all starts with a simple introduction. This is a great goal for parents too. Reach out to other online or homeschool families and try to build connections.

Break it down: This goal doesn’t have to be daunting. It could be something as simple as, “I will introduce myself to someone new at least once per week.”

3. Establish a better routine

This is a goal for both students and families. If your mornings or evenings (or both) are feeling hectic, it’s possible that your routine could use a refresher.

Break it down: Start by brainstorming some ways to make your day easier. Could meal-prepping the night before make your mornings feel less rushed? Do you need to work on keeping bedtimes consistent? Pick a specific goal, stick to it, and adjust as needed.

4. Discover a new hobby or interest

Extracurricular activities are a great way for students to find and explore their passions. If your student could use some more socialization opportunities or simply needs a creative outlet, make discovering a new hobby or interest part of your New Year’s goals.

Break it down: Check out the opportunities in your area. If your student is athletic, you could explore local leagues. You can also find several clubs that meet online—from chess clubs to cooking clubs and everything in between.

5. Read more books

The many benefits of reading for kids are no secret. Reading more books is another goal that can apply to the whole family. Books can introduce new words, ideas, cultures, and so much more for students and inspire creativity.

Break it down: Your student’s goal to read more can take many forms, but the key is to aim to make it part of their everyday routine. For example, you can set a number of books to read per month. Or, you can set a bedtime reading goal of 20 minutes per night. Choose a goal that’s attainable for your student or family.

6. Improve grades

If you’d like to help your student improve their grades, consider helping them set an academic goal. Start by discussing their current grades and putting expectations in place for how they can improve. For example, instead of telling your student they need to be getting As, aim to move up from a C to a B—and go from there.

Break it down: This is another goal for second semester that can take many forms of manageable milestones. Perhaps your student will benefit from an added 30 minutes of study time each day. Perhaps the goal is to simply improve their score on the next test. Remember to celebrate and encourage each time they achieve.

7. Get active together

Every family member needs to get exercise, let loose, and have fun—so why not do it all at once together? Show your kids the importance of movement by setting a goal to be active together.

Break it down: Your specific goal will depend on your family’s preferences. For example, if you all enjoy basketball, make a point to get out and play together once a week. It could also be as simple as mixing in a walk to the park a few times a week.