Preschoolers love celebrations, and a new year brings us plenty of opportunities to celebrate with our little ones. While the adults are making lists for New Year’s resolutions, we can sometimes forget the joy and wonder that can come with a new beginning. This year, you might try starting a new tradition—getting excited for what’s to come. Here’s how to start your year off right with your preschooler.
The Year In Review
A new year is a perfect time to review the special key moments that your family shared over the past year. Remember good times by watching a slideshow or scrolling through pictures of last year’s events and activities. If you went on any trips, relive the experience. If your family had special milestones, birthdays, or events, take a moment to recall them together. Reviewing the past can help us remember the joyful times we shared together and help us plan for new activities in the year to come.
New Experiences for the Year
Instead of planning resolutions, plan for new experiences that you and your family want to have in the new year. Talk to your little one about what they might want to try. You and your family can make a list together of what you would like to do.
Need a few ideas?
- Take a parent-child yoga class
- Visit a national park
- Cook a new meal
- Visit a museum
- See a musical
- Paint a portrait
- Read a new book
- Have a themed family gathering
Whatever your family chooses, get creative together! By setting goals to have new experiences, you can show your child how fun it can be to plan out the year and have those plans to look forward to.
A Family Calendar
As you create excitement for the year’s activities, you might also enjoy creating a family calendar with your child to show them what is coming up. Start by talking about holidays, and then add your family’s events throughout the year. To help your child feel more involved and engaged, let them add creative elements to the calendar, such as stickers, to mark the special days. Place the calendar where everyone in the family can see it and get excited about the month’s highlights!
Supporting Your Family in the New Year and In Every Year to Come
The Gardner School helps children celebrate yearly traditions through our fall festivals, winter holiday parties, and classroom activities to celebrate each season throughout the year. With a healthy mix of structured enrichment and free play, we give children the guidance they need to start learning as soon as they’re ready.
To learn more about how we help kids grow strong bodies and minds, contact us today to learn more, or check out our virtual tours on our website for The Gardner School nearest you. You’ll quickly see why parents choose The Gardner School. We wish all of our Gardner School families a very Happy New Year!