“Ideas for Growing in All Areas of Life,” Personal Development: Children’s Guidebook (2019)
“Ideas for Growing in All Areas of Life,” Personal Development: Children’s Guidebook
Ideas for Growing in All Areas of Life
The following pages have ideas for how you can follow the Savior and grow in all areas of your life. You do not have to use these—the best ideas may be your own! Pray about what you can work on right now.
You can find more ideas at ChildrenandYouth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Ideas for Spiritual Growth
What Are Your Ideas?
Read the Book of Mormon Every Day
Make a habit of reading every day, even if it is just a few verses.
Prepare to Go to the Temple
Learn and live “My Gospel Standards” (page 63), and invite others to do the same.
Learn the Articles of Faith
Memorize the Articles of Faith (page 62), and learn what they mean.
Improve Your Prayers
Before you pray, think about what you are grateful for and what you need help with.
Thank Heavenly Father for Your Blessings
Write down three things you are thankful for. Try to write three new things each day.
Keep the Sabbath Day Holy
Decide what you can start doing or stop doing to make the Sabbath a special day.
Serve Someone
Look for ways to help someone in your family, at school, or at church.
Do Family History
Write a letter to a grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Ask them to tell you a story about when they were your age.
Share the Gospel
Talk to a friend about the gospel. Invite your friend to church or to an activity.
Teach the Gospel
Teach your favorite scripture story to your family. Act it out or draw pictures to help you teach.
Sing a Primary Song
Sing with a family member. Notice how listening to good music makes you feel.
Ideas for Social Growth
What Are Your Ideas?
Learn about the Family
Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” and talk to your parents about what you learned.
Show Love to Your Family
Do something nice for people in your family.
Include Others
Find ways to spend time with or serve someone who might feel left out or who might need your friendship.
Learn about Other Cultures
Read about other cultures, talk to people from other countries, or go to a cultural celebration near you.
Serve Your Neighbors
With your parents or leaders, do something in your community to help people in need.
Learn to Apologize and Forgive
Act out situations where someone needs to apologize or forgive. Practice how to share your feelings and respond.
Learn about Your Community
Visit a police station, fire station, or other community service. Learn about what they do, and thank them for their service.
Make a New Friend
Introduce yourself to someone new, and invite the person to play with you.
Speak Kind Words
Practice using only words that would make someone happy, not sad. Talk about what you can say if someone says unkind words to you.
Control Your Temper
Practice calming down when you feel angry. For example, take deep breaths, count to 10, or imagine you are in a favorite place.
Welcome Others
Introduce yourself to someone new in your school, neighborhood, or ward or branch. Help this person meet other people.
Ideas for Physical Growth
What Are Your Ideas?
Learn to Cook
Help to prepare a healthy meal or snack. Share it with your family or friends.
Make Your Body Strong
Do something regularly to move your body, like sports, dance, exercise, or playing outside.
Show Respect for Your Body
Keep your body clean every day. Bathe regularly. Brush your teeth and care for your hair each day.
Care for Your Home
Do something to help make your home a nice place to live, such as cleaning, decorating, or yard work.
Take Care of the Things You Own
Ask your parents to teach you how to repair or take care of the things you use.
Learn a New Art Skill
Draw, paint, or sketch a picture, and give it to someone you love.
Learn a New Music Skill
Learn how to sing a song, play an instrument, or conduct music. Offer to share your skill in home evening or another activity.
Obey the Word of Wisdom
Read Doctrine and Covenants 89 to see what Heavenly Father promises if you keep the Word of Wisdom. Decide how you can better live it.
Enjoy Time Outdoors
Go on a walk or hike with family or friends to explore the world around you.
Share Your Talents
Share one of your talents with someone who is lonely.
Prepare for Emergencies
Make a plan with your parents or leaders for what to do in an emergency.
Ideas for Intellectual Growth
What Are Your Ideas?
Learn about Tithing
Learn why it is important to pay tithing. Give ten percent of your income to the Lord.
Improve Your Reading Skills
Read a book about a new subject, or read a book that is longer than you normally read.
Learn How to Be Safe Online
Make a list of your family’s rules for using the internet or apps.
Learn Something New
Choose something you’re interested in, and learn everything you can about it.
Attend or Watch Cultural Events
Visit a museum or cultural event in your area. Talk to your friends or family about something new you learned.
Learn about Different Jobs
Visit someone you know at their work to learn what they do and how things work.
Learn about People You Admire
This could be a person you know or someone from history or the scriptures. Decide how you can be more like them.
Learn How to Make Good Choices
All choices have consequences, which are things that happen as a result of what you do. Make a list of some choices and their consequences.
Improve Your Memory
Memorize a favorite scripture, poem, or song.
Learn a New Language
Learn to say hello and other basic words in another language. Practice with someone who speaks that language, if possible.
Write a Story
Write a story about your life or about a family member.