Reflecting on 2024 with Your Child
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
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As the year comes to a close, it’s a great time to look back on everything that has happened. Taking time to reflect with your child can be an opportunity to celebrate their growth, build confidence, and inspire future goals.
“Kids often have a hard time seeing the big picture,” says Melissa Brandon, principal of PrepNet Virtual Academy. “The things that stick in their memory are usually highly emotional—and often negative. That’s why it’s so important to guide them in reflecting on the good things, too. It helps them realize, ‘I’m doing really good things,’ and builds their confidence.”
If you’re not sure where to start, focus on questions that help your child recall meaningful moments. Instead of asking a broad question like “How was your year?” try something more specific, such as: “What’s a subject you improved in this year?” or “What’s something you thought would be hard but turned out to be easier than you expected?” For kids who may have trouble remembering, prompts can be helpful. You might ask, “Do you remember the field trip week?” or “What about the time you had a substitute teacher?”
Reflection can also become part of your routine. Encourage your child to write notes each week about things they’re proud of, challenges they faced, or exciting experiences. These notes can become a collection to look back on together at the end of each month or year. Even a simple daily question like “How were you helpful today?” can spark meaningful conversations and create positive habits.
Looking back is valuable, but reflection is also a powerful tool for looking ahead. It’s the first step in setting meaningful goals. Asking your child, “What’s something you’d like to grow in?” can help them identify areas for improvement and set achievable targets.
“When kids accomplish something they’ve worked hard on, they feel proud,” Brandon explains. “That sense of pride shows them they can tackle challenges, which builds confidence for future successes.”
“Kids often have a hard time seeing the big picture,” says Melissa Brandon, principal of PrepNet Virtual Academy. “The things that stick in their memory are usually highly emotional—and often negative. That’s why it’s so important to guide them in reflecting on the good things, too. It helps them realize, ‘I’m doing really good things,’ and builds their confidence.”
If you’re not sure where to start, focus on questions that help your child recall meaningful moments. Instead of asking a broad question like “How was your year?” try something more specific, such as: “What’s a subject you improved in this year?” or “What’s something you thought would be hard but turned out to be easier than you expected?” For kids who may have trouble remembering, prompts can be helpful. You might ask, “Do you remember the field trip week?” or “What about the time you had a substitute teacher?”
Reflection can also become part of your routine. Encourage your child to write notes each week about things they’re proud of, challenges they faced, or exciting experiences. These notes can become a collection to look back on together at the end of each month or year. Even a simple daily question like “How were you helpful today?” can spark meaningful conversations and create positive habits.
Looking back is valuable, but reflection is also a powerful tool for looking ahead. It’s the first step in setting meaningful goals. Asking your child, “What’s something you’d like to grow in?” can help them identify areas for improvement and set achievable targets.
“When kids accomplish something they’ve worked hard on, they feel proud,” Brandon explains. “That sense of pride shows them they can tackle challenges, which builds confidence for future successes.”