Celebrating Achievements, Big and Small

And another year draws to a close.

For some of us, it may have flown by in a blur; for others, it may have felt like a slow and steady march.

Have you taken a moment to appreciate how far you and your child have come this year?

If your child is preparing for the SEA, you’ve probably experienced a rollercoaster of emotions—stressful nights, academic breakthroughs and small victories that might have felt insignificant at the moment. Now is the perfect opportunity to reflect and celebrate not just your child’s achievements, but your own as well.

Here are tips to make reflection more meaningful for you and your family.

1. Reflect together.

Set aside time to talk with your child about the year as it comes to a close. Encourage open dialogue and let your child share what they’re proud of. It can be finally understanding a tricky math concept, making a new friend or even reaching a higher level at a video game. (No judgment!)

Open up and share your own reflections too. Maybe you’ve learned to be more patient, stood up for yourself or reached a personal goal, like paying off a debt. Let your child see that growth and effort are important at every stage of life.

2. Write down your achievements.

Creating a written list of accomplishments makes them feel real and can help you realise how much you’ve actually accomplished. You can use the following categories:

Academic Wins: Improved grades and mastering a topic

Personal Growth: Facing fears, showing resilience or taking on responsibilities at home or school

Extracurricular Progress: Advancing in a hobby, participating in a competition or trying something new

Acts of Kindness: Helping friends, showing empathy or contributing to the community

3. Celebrate effort, not only results.

It’s easy to focus on results, but it’s also important to acknowledge the hard work you and your child have put in this year. For example, you can tell your child, “I’m proud of how you practised consistently for your math test and asked for help.”

This acknowledgement encourages your child to persevere even if they do not always get the results they hope for.

4. Set positive intentions for the new year.

What would you like to accomplish in 2025?

Take the opportunity to set small, achievable goals with your child. These goals could be academic, like following a study schedule, and they can include personal growth, such as pursuing a new hobby or spending more time together.

Also, encourage your child to think about what they’d like to accomplish or experience after the SEA—having something exciting to look forward to can keep their motivation and spirits high.

5. Create a “Success Jar.”

For a year-long tradition, start a “Success Jar.” Write each accomplishment on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. It could be anything from completing an assignment to getting through a tough week. At the end of the year, make it a family activity to open the notes and celebrate your journey and relive proud moments.

Recognising achievements—no matter their size—builds self-confidence and helps us realise that we are making progress, even when it feels like we’re not.  As a parent, your acknowledgement of your child’s efforts is one of the most powerful motivators they can receive.

From all of us at Aleph Educators, we wish you and your family a joyful and fulfilling New Year.

Thank you for letting us support you in 2024 and we look forward to continuing our support in 2025!