My can-do list
3–4 yearsEmotional WellbeingMaterials: Paper and crayons or markers
Make a list together of things your child can do now that they couldn't do before. Include simple skills like putting on shoes, counting to ten, or drawing a circle. You can write or draw each item on paper. Celebrate each skill with enthusiasm and talk about how your child learned it by practicing. This builds awareness of growth and creates confidence that learning continues over time.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
Make a list together of things your child can do now that they couldn't do before. Include simple skills like putting on shoes, counting to ten, or drawing a circle. You can write or draw each item on paper. Celebrate each skill with enthusiasm and talk about how your child learned it by practicing. This builds awareness of growth and creates confidence that learning continues over time.
Why It Works
Recognizing personal growth and progress builds optimistic expectations about future learning. Research demonstrates that perseverance and optimism significantly predict achievement and that focusing on growth enhances motivation (Ng, B., 2022). By documenting what they've accomplished, children develop the belief that effort leads to improvement, which supports resilience and a positive outlook on new challenges.
Tips for Parents
Refer back to the list when your child faces something new and remind them of past growth. Add new skills to the list over time to show ongoing progress. Keep the focus on effort and practice, not just natural ability.
Materials Needed
Paper and crayons or markers
Learning Methods
Narrative and Literacy-Rich ExperiencesInquiry-Based LearningCollaborative and Cooperative Play
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