Like the changing seasons, a new learning year brings new opportunities and challenges! As the leaves turn to stunning colours and start to fall, kids have a chance to enrich the soils of their learning year by setting goals and defining aspirations!
As they move through the year, they are always building on what they’ve learned and can reflect on their progression, continually planting seeds and watching them grow.
The first couple of months of the learning year are a wonderful chance for kids to imagine everything possible for the months ahead and approach each season with a willingness to try new things and a handful of carefully crafted intentions.
HomeLearners Network (HLN) offers a ton of learning activities for home learners that focus on setting goals, developing a growth mindset, and celebrating nature as a reminder that fresh starts are always around the corner!
Setting goals for new adventures and challenges
When kids set goals, they learn to focus their efforts and experience the satisfaction of achievement. Goals provide direction and purpose, helping kids break down larger tasks into manageable steps that help them stay motivated!
Goals might be simple and short-term, such as reading a certain number of books each week or learning to tie their shoes. They can become more complex as unique passions and interests are incorporated. Mastering a musical instrument, improving in their favourite sport, or excelling in a challenging academic subject are great examples of more long-term goals.
Setting and achieving goals teaches kids valuable lessons about perseverance, time management, and the rewards of hard work.
🖐 Learning a new language is an incredible way to challenge yourself! Check out ASL Learning Adventures and discover new words, questions and phrases in the exciting world of American Sign Language!
🔎 In Online Escape Rooms, kids can challenge themselves by solving clues, debunking fun riddles and listening to intriguing stories to make it out of an online escape room!
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- ✅ If your kid is ages 10-13, sign up here!
Discovering the power of a growth mindset
Kids should know it’s okay if they don’t meet their goals on the first try! The process of working towards a goal and measuring progress is often just as valuable because it provides opportunities for learning and growth.
When kids believe they can develop abilities and intelligence through dedication, effort, and learning from mistakes, they go into the world with resilience and a willingness to take on new challenges without fear of failure. They can approach tasks with curiosity and confidence, knowing each misstep is a stepping stone to success!
🧘🏿 Physical movement and meditation are beautiful ways to set intentions and gauge progress! Kids Yoga + Meditation Flex Series is the perfect activity for working on balance, flexibility and breath work!
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- ✅ If your kid is ages 5-12, sign up here!
✍️ Check out Creative Writing Club with our excellent Guide, Alecyn, where kids will learn new writing techniques, take on unique writing challenges, and watch their stories come to life!
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- ✅ If your kid is ages 10-14, sign up here!
Reflecting on nature’s way of embracing new beginnings
Nature is a constant reminder of the beauty of fresh starts and finding excitement in each season of life!
In the spring, blooming flowers, budding trees, and baby animals can remind kids that even after the stillness of winter, life perseveres and always comes back with fresh possibilities. Fall and winter can be incredible times to explore new outdoor activities and embrace new challenges!
Kids who learn to view new beginnings as opportunities for growth are better equipped to handle life’s ups and downs. They become more resilient, more creative and more confident!
🌱 Explore new beginnings firsthand in Collecting Seeds, where kids will find seeds around the home and learn about where they come from and what they create!
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- ✅ If your kid is ages 8-13, sign up here!
🪴 Kids will learn about how plants create the building blocks for life in Photosynthesis Play! Kids will provide plants with the materials to generate oxygen in a cup.
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- ✅ If your kid is ages 11-15, sign up here!
🏃♂️ Leap into a new beginning with goal setting and a growth mindset by checking out all of HLN’s activities! Click the image below.
