What do you get when you come up with a solution and resolve to do it?  A RESOLUTION!!! Did you make any for the New Year?  Were any a collective commitment of the whole family?  Did your children set a goal to work towards themselves?

It’s the 16th - we’re halfway through January – an opportunity to check in on that pledge and where it stands.  Or for that matter…to set one for 2014, if you haven’t already.

If you’re experiencing success and progressing towards your intentions, it’s probably a reflection of several things.  Whatever you’re striving for, you likely aimed for that sweet spot of challenging; not too easy and not impossible.   Secondly, you must have a plan.  You deciphered what it would take to accomplish this goal and have taken decisive actions to build towards success.  Frequent progress checks probably also keep you focused and allow you to make dynamic adjustments along the way.  I also imagine your positive self-talk builds the confidence you need to know that you have what it takes to realize your goal.  And finally, you’re NOT giving up because you are tenacious and determined!

Congratulations…you are demonstrating essential life skills that positively charge your life.  Research* in the education world points to the power of explicitly addressing executive functioning skills such as focus, self control, and taking on challenges in developing resilient youth equipped with the tools to thrive in their lives.

At Almond School (actually throughout LASD), learning extends far beyond the acquisition and mastery of content.  Yes, our children must learn to decode language for meaning, they must have a strong understanding of number sense and algebraic concepts, be able to write with accuracy and have knowledge of scientific principles and social events.  However, more importantly, they must be able to set goals, understand objectives, devise plans, identify resources, make adjustments and never give up.  As we design learning in our classrooms, we look for opportunities to allow children practice in these areas.

So, hold on to that resolution you’ve established.  Talk about it as a family.  Share what’s working well and what might need to be tweaked.  Know that you’ve got what it takes!  If it’s turning out to be more difficult than you thought, don’t give up.  Instead, dig deep and reflect.  Reset, adjust the plan, and celebrate the small wins.  The reward will not only be the outcome itself, but the process along the way.

*Galinsky (2010). Mind in the Making:  The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Need.  New York:  HarperCollins.

*Tough (2012).  How Children Succeed:  Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.