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The New Year is always a good opportunity to talk to your children about changing or improving lifestyle choices. Take this time to be creative in helping them come up with healthy New Year’s resolutions they can make and follow. Don’t forget to be a positive role model. They watch everything you do. Some suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatrics based on age:

Preschoolers

• I will clean up my toys and put them where they belong.
• I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
• I will talk with my parent or a trusted adult when I need help, or when I'm scared.
• I will be nice to other kids who need a friend or look sad or lonely.

Kids, 5 to 12 years old

• I will drink reduced-fat milk and water every day, and drink soda and fruit drinks only at special times.
• I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three to five times a week!
• I will always wear a helmet when riding a bike.
• I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I'll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
• I will never encourage or even watch bullying.
• I'll never give out private information such as my name, address, school name or phone number on the Internet. Also, I'll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without asking my parent if it is okay.
• I promise to follow our household rules for videogames and internet use.