As 2025 winds down and with Christmas on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to take a deep breath and look back on the year that’s been.

The end of term can feel like a blur of concerts, assemblies and lunchbox leftovers but it’s also a golden opportunity to help children pause, reflect and celebrate how much they’ve grown. Here are some simple (and fun) ways to do it as a family! 

Celebrate the wins (big and small)

Encourage your child to celebrate both the big achievements and the little victories, the ones that don’t always make it into school reports. 

  • For little ones (Kindy–Year 2): Ask: “What was something new you learned this year that made you smile?” Draw or make a certificate for their proudest experience
  • For primary kids: Create a Top 3 list: best school memory, best learning moment, best friendship moment. You can also decorate a scrapbook or add photos from the year
  • For teens: Chat about challenges they’ve overcome. It could be a tough subject, a school event, or balancing sport and study. Encourage reflection during a walk or dinner conversation

Practice gratitude together 

Take some time to give thanks for what the year has brought. Gratitude not only lifts the mood, it builds perspective and joy.

  • For little ones: Keep it simple. Ask, “What made you feel happy or thankful today?” It could be as small as playing with a friend or as big as visiting grandparents
  • For primary kids: Start a family “gratitude jar” and fill it with notes of thanks for people or memories from the year. Reading them aloud on New Year’s Eve makes for a lovely family ritual
  • For teens: Invite them to think about who they’re grateful for and encourage them to express it, maybe with a quick message, card, or prayer. Gratitude builds perspective and helps them see the good even in tough times

Add a touch of faith 

Advent is the perfect time to connect with God and be thankful for His love and care for the year gone by. 

  • For little ones: Light a candle and say a short prayer of thanks for the year that’s been. Help them see that God is with us in both the fun and the tricky times
  • For primary kids: Read a short Bible verse together about gratitude or growth, something simple that connects reflection to faith
  • For teens: Encourage them to spend quiet time in prayer or journaling, thanking God for lessons learned and people who made a difference. It’s a beautiful way to find meaning in the year gone by

Set simple goals for 2026

Looking ahead doesn’t have to mean big, lofty resolutions. Instead, help your child think of a few gentle, realistic goals for the year to come.

  • For little ones: Ask, “What’s something you’d like to try next year?” Keep it fun and light-hearted, like learning to ride a bigger bike or trying a new sport
  • For primary kids: Help them set one or two achievable goals for learning, kindness, or courage
  • For teens: Encourage them to think about how they want to grow, not just what milestones that want to reach. Maybe it’s finding balance, trying something new, or putting their faith into action

As you pack away the school bags and hang up the Christmas decorations, be sure to pause, give thanks and celebrate. Because when we look back with gratitude and faith, we step forward with hope, and that’s the best way to begin a new year.

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