One of the best ways to help children and teens start the year right, is to take some time to set goals using a vision board.  To manifest a peace and success, we need some time to think about what we want.  I am sharing how to do this with young children to upper elementary age children in this post.  Tomorrow, I will share how to do this with teens.

1. Set aside some quiet time to do this activity without the distraction of television or other media.  It is great to do this with siblings or a small group of children, as they can share ideas about what they want for the new school year and stimulate creativity.
2. Ask children what they want for this school year.  This may include making certain grades or marks, reaching goals in sports, or participating in activities such as choir or even an item such as a skateboard or bicycle.  Children will write down their ideas.  For young children, the parent or teacher may record the answers for them.
3. Share the idea that abundance can also mean what we are, as well as what we have or achieve.  Perhaps we want to be kinder to others, raise money for a cause, or share more.  As children begin to talk about their dreams, record the ideas and introduce the concept that we can make a vision board to help us achieve our dreams.
4. When we develop a vision board, we use symbols to represent what we want.  The board can be a bulletin board, magnetic marker board, or as simple as cardboard or paper.  Cut out pictures, words, symbols to represent what we want.  Children may also draw pictures of vision board items.  This is even more powerful.  Add these to the board.
5. Ask children to be specific.  If we want a bicycle, note the color, style of seat, and any other details.  Note when we want to achieve our vision.  If we want to make the A-B honor roll, note which grading periods.  If we simply want to be on the honor roll, this may not be until the last grading or marking period.  We need to write, I want to make the A-B honor roll every grading period this school year. 
6. Ask children to make one really big goal for the year that seems impossible, something that will really stretch their imaginations.
7. Post the vision board in a place the child will see every day.  Some ideas include inside the locker door or in the child’s bedroom.  Seeing the board every day will remind students of their goals. 
8.  Observe the Law of Attraction work for children as well as adults.