Tomorrow's happy ideas
3–4 yearsEmotional WellbeingMaterials: Paper and crayons (optional)
Spend time with your child planning something positive for tomorrow. It can be simple, like choosing a favorite breakfast or picking a book to read. Ask your child what they're looking forward to and help them think of small, happy moments coming soon. Draw or talk about what tomorrow might bring. This helps your child learn to anticipate good things and see the future with hope and excitement.
Part of the Imprint developmental journey — personalized to your child.
How to Do This Activity
Spend time with your child planning something positive for tomorrow. It can be simple, like choosing a favorite breakfast or picking a book to read. Ask your child what they're looking forward to and help them think of small, happy moments coming soon. Draw or talk about what tomorrow might bring. This helps your child learn to anticipate good things and see the future with hope and excitement.
Why It Works
Anticipating positive future events is a key component of optimism development at this age. Research demonstrates that optimism in adolescents promotes better adaptation to transitions and daily stressors (Rasmussen, H. N., Scheier, M. F., & Greenhouse, J. B., 2009). Starting this practice early helps children form expectations that good things will happen, which shapes their explanatory style and builds resilience over time.
Tips for Parents
Choose realistic plans that are likely to happen so your child experiences follow-through. Use hopeful language like, we will have fun with that tomorrow. If plans change, gently explain and shift focus to another positive possibility.
Materials Needed
Paper and crayons (optional)
Learning Methods
Narrative and Literacy-Rich ExperiencesInquiry-Based LearningCollaborative and Cooperative Play
Loved this activity? Let us do the planning for you.
Imprint personalizes every activity to your child — their interests, their stage, the traits they're building — so playtime is more fun and every moment counts.
Science-backed. Private by design. No spam.