Making a New Year's resolution list with your niece or nephew can be a great way to have fun and bond, and it also encourages their language and writing skills.

Begin by thinking of a special place to write your lists. For me, that has been a simple notebook covered in stickers, a folder with a favorite team’s logo or an image file on the computer.  Then, choose a number for each resolution and each of you writes that many resolutions. Next, share your plans. It is sure to generate conversation and you will probably learn something about each other.

For many -  myself included - writing New Year's resolutions is not always the most enticing subject... but when you make the resolutions something to really think about, it's amazing what we - especially kids - can think of. Here are a few ideas, but feel free to tailor yours to your niece or nephew's interests and hobbies:

If you could choose 5 superpowers what would they be?

List 10 things that make you happy.

List 10 things you would tell someone to do if they are visiting your hometown.

List 5 things everyone should try once in their lifetime.

List 8 things that should be changed in this world.

What do you think are the 7 best inventions ever created?

The possibilities are endless and the number doesn’t really matter, but I encourage you to challenge yourselves. Be sure that you are both writing, so it doesn't feel like another assignment for your niece or nephew but rather something that you are doing together. You can also  include the  “whys," for example - why I would want the power to fly -  or just talk about them after you have shared your lists.

I am often humbled by so many of my students' insightful and sensitive responses and awed by their creativity. Making lists is a great way for everyone to stimulate their imagination and practice their writing skills.

Feel free to share some of your niece's and nephew's lists in the comments section below.