Intentions are a wonderful opportunity to inspire kids to think about how they want to show up in their daily lives.

By encouraging them to set daily intentions focused on who they want to be (rather than just what they want to achieve), you help them align with their character. This practice nurtures emotional and mental well-being, fostering confidence and resilience throughout the year.

Creating daily intentions doesn’t mean every day will be perfect or without challenges. Rather, it’s about giving kids a tool to guide their choices and actions, especially when faced with difficult or awkward moments.

An intention is a simple, focused choice—a way to decide who they want to be or how they want to feel on any given day.

3 Steps to Make Daily Intentions Part of Their Routine

1. Choose One Intention: Encourage kids to pick a simple phrase that reflects how they want to approach the day. They can come up with their own or use suggestions like: ✨Today, I choose kindness. ✨I choose to be a good listener. ✨I am brave. ✨I will stay curious and keep learning. ✨I will speak kindly to myself. ✨I embrace new challenges with confidence. ✨I choose to be a good teammate.

2. Write It Down or Say It Aloud: Help them reinforce the daily intention by writing it on a sticky note, drawing a picture of it or saying it out loud.

3. Reflect and Check In: Throughout the day, ask how their intention is guiding them. For example, “How did choosing kindness help you with your friends today?”

This is what I know: By encouraging your child to set daily intentions, you’re helping them develop a growth mindset. This simple practice sets them up to face challenges with courage and adaptability, making the year ahead an opportunity for emotional and personal growth.

Until next time…