End of Year Reflections

As the school year winds down, it’s important we all take time to reflect on the year. So many of us get consumed in the daily grind that we often forget to intentionally pause and reflect on the past. Reflection is a very important tool in having a growth mindset and being able to learn and grow from our choices and actions. When our students reflect on what they have learned or achieved, it gives them a heighten sense of self-awareness and ownership.

In the last week of school, this is a great opportunity to sit down with your child and create the space and time to reflect back on the school year.

Here are some ways to help facilitate the conversation and to encourage our children to reflect.

Write a Thank You Note

Have your child choose one or two individuals that have made an impact on them this school year and write them a thank you note. You can provide them writing prompts to elaborate on why they chose this person and the impact they had.

Write a Letter to Themselves One Year in the Future

Ask your child to write a letter to themselves one year in the future. Don’t put restrictions on what the letter can be about or the tone of it. It can be a letter congratulating them on a future goal they plan to accomplish or some words of wisdom. Let the focus be on whatever they choose. Keep this letter and give it back to them at the end of next year.

Write a Letter to Your Teacher’s Incoming Class

Have your child think about what advice might be helpful to give to the incoming students from both an academic and social perspective for them to be prepared for the next school year. What advice might you give to those students? What do they need to do to be successful?

Create a Vision Board

Have your child create a vision board to imagine what they want what their future to look like. Let them be creative and use whatever materials they would like. Encourage them to include anything that inspires them such as pictures, quotes, memorabilia, etc.