School News and Head's Blog
Posted on: 9/01/2026New Year's Resolutions: Building Healthy Attitudes to Goal Setting by Ms Matthews
As the calendar flips to a new year, many of us will likely have paused to set intentions and goals. While people often jest that New Year’s resolutions are famously short-lived, research shows that the process of setting goals itself can foster healthier attitudes and improved wellbeing.
Resolutions can encourage self-reflection and a forward-looking mindset. They prompt us to think about what matters most, whether it’s physical health, kindness, learning or connection. Resolutions can also strengthen mental and emotional wellbeing, by giving us a sense of purpose and direction. Studies on goal setting suggest that having clear intentions for the year ahead can reduce feelings of stagnation and increase self-confidence. Each small success builds momentum, reminding us that positive change is possible and within reach.
Importantly though, this isn’t just true for adults.
Family-centric research shows that when parents model goal setting and involve their children in setting their own goals, both parents and children can benefit. A recent poll on children’s health found that many parents who set goals - including at New Year - believe it helps their children learn how to work toward something meaningful and supports them in developing other important values and skills.
St. Helen’s College has long emphasised the notion that child-led goals are often the most powerful – a view supported by educational and psychological research. Indeed, when children choose resolutions they care about - like reading more, playing actively or trying a new hobby – they are more likely to remain engaged. This sense of autonomy and growth mindset supports intrinsic motivation, which is, in turn, linked to greater confidence and sustained effort.
However, this doesn’t mean that we as adults should step away entirely from the goal-setting process. Instead, research points to a specific style that works particularly well – ‘autonomy support’. Autonomy-supportive adults guide children through the goal-setting process by asking questions, offering choices and providing meaningful feedback, all without imposing their own vision of what the child should achieve.
For example, rather than telling a child “You need to improve your Maths grade this year," an autonomy-supportive approach involves asking questions like "Is there anything you would like to work on this year?" or "What would make you feel proud of yourself this year?" Once a child identifies their own goal, we as adults can then help break it down into smaller, manageable steps and provide encouragement along the way.
Setting goals with children also teaches fundamental life skills such as self-discipline, gratitude, perseverance, collaboration and resilience: the pillars on which our values curriculum is built here at St. Helen’s College. Even the most simple, achievable targets can give children a deep sense of accomplishment and help to build their self-esteem.
So, to make our 2026 resolutions count – be they for ourselves or for our children – we should focus on realistic, positive, and measurable goals. Instead of setting ourselves overwhelming aspirations or planning to eat less chocolate for the year (again!), it is far better to choose a few meaningful objectives and celebrate the small wins along the way.
Ultimately though, most New Year’s resolutions should perhaps be less about dramatic transformations and more about intentional living. When they are flexible, kind and aligned with personal values, resolutions can be a powerful tool to nurture healthier attitudes, support wellbeing and set the tone for a more balanced and fulfilling year ahead.
A simple change of mindset can shift the narrative from perfection to progress - encouraging a healthier attitude toward personal growth that can last far beyond January!
Ms Matthews, Head of Pre-Prep
Research links:
Adaptive Goal Processes and Underlying Motives That Sustain Mental Wellbeing and New Year Exercise Resolutions | MDPI
Resolving to be involved: Goal-setting for parents and kids | National Poll on Children's Health
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