Children and teens can benefit from creating their own vision boards

The concept of using pictures to help reach a particular goal is not a new one. If we haven’t done so ourselves, we usually know of someone who has—the co-worker whose cubicle wall is decorated with travel brochures for that desired dream vacation; the dieter who tacks a photo of a new outfit on the refrigerator door; slick pages from a car catalog in an acrylic frame on the desk of someone striving to get that new car.  There are even workshops that show adults how to bring these together  to create what’s know as  vision boards.

Many business professionals use a simple vision board concept– arranging meaningful images cut from magazines, on a sheet of poster board or a cork bulletin board—to help them reach goals professionally and personally. The key is to have images that represent the desired results from reaching those goals in a place where you can see it everyday.

Why Teach Adolescents How to Create Vision Boards

Children and teens can benefit from creating their own vision boards, giving a visual voice to their dreams, aspirations, and accomplishments. Not only is the vision board a great project to do with your child, the concept can provide value in helping build a positive sense of self while releasing creativity. The key is to for the vision boards to be displayed somewhere where the child will see it everyday, with their bedroom being the optimum place.

This is another way visuals on display can be used to instill a sense of belonging and significance in children and teens.

© 2012 Joan Rudder-Ward

Written by Joan Rudder-Ward