Falling Back Without Falling Behind
Unless you happen to live in Arizona or Hawaii, you know exactly what’s coming this Sunday. Daylight Savings Time might only shift our day by an hour, but for those with little ones, that hour...
Humans are very visual creatures, and this is infinitely more true when those humans are little and may not yet be able to read. As the new year approaches and talk of resolutions are floating around like snowflakes, this might be the time to let your children in on what resolutions are all about. Creating vision boards has been a practice among world leaders, Fortune 500 companies, and individuals hoping to stay on track for generations. Sharing this practice as a family can help you keep your individual and collective goals in mind all year long.
This week, Wonder Bunch Media has put together a few easy questions you can ask your children to help them (and you!) create a vision board that will make your resolutions a revelation and completely achievable goals!
What are your three favorite colors?
Use these colors for the board, backing, and accents. Add a tint to images before printing them, or use colorful construction paper behind each image. Using their favorite colors ensures that their board is not only visually pleasing, but catches their attention regularly and keeps their goals in mind.
What are your three favorite things about your life right now?
Centering gratitude reminds them that their life is already wonderful, and that the work they do now is the reason for it! Posting pictures of a pet they spend time caring for, or toys they are good at taking care of reminds them of how much responsibility they have for the parts of their life they love. A photo of something they enjoy eating might remind them that being brave and trying something new resulted in a new favorite food.
What’s your favorite subject in school or topic to study?
This keeps them focused on learning more about their passions and reminds them that hard work will make them better at what they already enjoy doing.
What is a problem you would like to solve?
When we ask children what they want to be when they grow up, it creates a false finish line. Asking instead what problem they would like to solve allows them to be themselves, while working toward a future goal instead of putting on a future identity. A purpose and a vocation aren’t always the same thing, and that’s ok!
If you owned a business, what would you make or sell?
Again, this gives them an opportunity to get creative with their passions. They might want to sell backpacks that unfold into picnic tables, or scuba gear that turns into a jet pack, or maybe they just want to make smoothies from a food truck. This questions isn’t about who they will be when they grow up, but what they see as something missing from the world as it is.
If you could change your bedroom, what would you do with it?
A bedroom redesign may not be in the plans or the budget for 2022, but understanding how your child wants their space to represent them may offer insights into small changes they are willing to make to achieve the look. Maybe a new hamper can keep laundry off the floor, and maybe fairy lights would keep your child in their own bed over night. Creating images of their dream room can help you both understand their sense of style, and what makes them feel joyful and peaceful.
Who is your best friend, and what do you love about them?
Pictures of our loved ones remind us that we aren’t only working on our goals for ourselves, but for the people we love and the people who want to see us happy. Images of having a good time with friends also trigger a more positive day, even if we won’t be seeing them today!
What sport/skill/extracurricular would you like to get better at this year?
Whether it’s basket weaving or basketball, images of people doing well at something we want to be great at reminds us that with determination and patience, it’s possible! Maybe they want to learn to ride their bike, or are hoping to lose the training wheels this year, or maybe they want to learn to swim. Learn where your child is hoping to improve themselves, and go all in to support them!
We have our own fair share of goals for the next year, and most of them involve you! We can’t wait to share what we’ve been cooking up for you and your little learners. Thank you for sharing your year with us, and we’ll see you in 2022!