Word of the Year is for Kids and Adults Alike!
Have you ever thought about a word of the year? Or a phrase? A word of the year is meant to define the year – almost like a vision of what you want your year to be.
I love the idea of a word of the year for myself. It’s this one word that shapes the course of my year, and brings me back to the basics when I wander off (which I do…a lot).
For 2019, my word was LEARN, and that’s exactly what I did. I learned a lot about children’s art, and how to teach, but I learned other things. I learned how to communicate more effectively, I learned that stepping outside of my comfort zone always leads to amazing things, no matter how much I want to turn and run the other way, and I learned how to stay authentic to myself. In other recent years I’ve chosen words like FOCUS, STRENGTH, EVOLVE, and STEP UP. And for 2025, I’m choosing RECONNECT.
Is there a word or phrase that defines what you want your year to look like?
Choosing Your Intentions for 2025
I love the idea of a word of the year for myself. It’s this one word that shapes the course of my year, and brings me back to the basics when I wander off (which I do… a lot).
Finding your word of the year may be simple. Sometimes a word keeps popping up – in every podcast, every book, and every blog, FOCUS popped up a couple of years ago, so I knew it was my word.
For 2025, I chose RECONNECT. Sometimes we find ourselves drifting from the people and things that matter, and we let in the people and things that don’t suit us. 2025 is going to be a year of reconnecting with those people, those things, and myself and I can’t wait to get started.
But having a word isn’t enough – what if you could remind yourself by looking at a beautiful arty rendition of it every day to remind yourself that you matter, your year is important, through all the twists and turns?
A Word of the Year for Kids Too
My Sparklettes are always excited to have a word too, such as ARTSY, SPARKLE, or PLAYFUL.
Are there any words that sum up a kid’s life better? That’s exactly what I wanted for my homeschool – artsy and playful. With a side of mom stepping up, eyes on the prize.
Word of the Year for Kids Art Project
I wanted this project to be simple. To show others that art at home can be simple and fun, without even needing to buy a single art supply you don’t already own.
Instructions:
MATERIALS:
White paper
Sharpie, or another black waterproof marker
Oil pastels, crayons, markers, or watercolors
PROCESS:
- Have kids choose a word, and then write it on a piece of paper with room to decorate the inside. Kids can use stencils, you can write it for them, or you can encourage them to make “bubble letters,” all depending on their ages.
- Tell kids to choose a pattern for their word and decorate it with the Sharpie. Polka dots, spirals, stripes, zigzags are all wonderful. Or tell them to create their own pattern. Kids can use a single pattern for the entire word, or a different pattern for every letter.
- Have them use their favorite color of oil pastels to make several large shapes around the word and color them in, making sure to press hard with the oil pastel to make it more vibrant. Once the shapes are colored, have them draw different types of lines to the edge of the page. Encourage kids to be careful when coloring around their word.
- Notes: If you don’t have oil pastels, feel free to use markers, crayons, or even watercolor paint. If you use watercolor paint, make sure that the black marker you used was waterproof, or the lines will disappear as you paint over them.
Start Off the New Year with SPARKLE
That’s it. A word of the year for kids is a way to connect them to a new year in a quick, simple, colorful, and fun way. There’s no goals they need to worry about hitting, just a big, beautiful word. And hey, if you get out the glitter, I wouldn’t blame you.
Choose a special place for them to hang their word – on their bedroom door, in the art room, or in a place that they can see it every day to remind themselves.
Don’t forget to hang yours up too.
And if you’re a homeschooler, make sure to join us in the new and growing The Creative Homeschool Facebook Community to talk about adding art to your homeschool and homeschooling creatively.
We would love it if you’d share!
Don’t forget to tag us at @soulsparklettes on social media if you do a word of the year art project with your kids or students – we love to see what you create!
Join one of our Memberships!
This is an example of the fun we have inside the Glitterbombers Memberships. Chose the level right for your students – Glitterbombers (K-7th) or the new Glitterbombers HIGH (7th-12th). With either choice, you’ll have hundreds more art projects, videos, and resources at your fingertips for whatever you’re studying, or whatever art concept you’re ready to teach. Head here to hop on the waitlist and find out when we open next!