Children and Youth

Ideas for Growing in All Areas of Life

“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.

spiritual, social, physical, intellectual

Ideas for Spiritual Growth

youth praying

youth reading scriptures — Make a habit of reading every day, even if it is just a few verses.

youth at temple — Learn and live “My Gospel Standards” (page 63), and invite others to do the same.

youth counting — Memorize the Articles of Faith (page 62), and learn what they mean.

youth reading — Before you pray, think about what you are grateful for and what you need help with.

checklist — Write down three things you are thankful for. Try to write three new things each day.

family outside church — Decide what you can start doing or stop doing to make the Sabbath a special day.

youth cleaning — Look for ways to help someone in your family, at school, or at church.

grandparents — Write a letter to a grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Ask them to tell you a story about when they were your age.

people talking — Talk to a friend about the gospel. Invite your friend to church or to an activity.

family reading — Teach your favorite scripture story to your family. Act it out or draw pictures to help you teach.

youth playing guitar — Sing with a family member. Notice how listening to good music makes you feel.

Ideas for Social Growth

youth praying

family walking together — Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” and talk to your parents about what you learned.

family at table — Do something nice for people in your family.

youth walking — Find ways to spend time with or serve someone who might feel left out or who might need your friendship.

youth with llama — Read about other cultures, talk to people from other countries, or go to a cultural celebration near you.

youth folding clothes — With your parents or leaders, do something in your community to help people in need.

youth with injury — Act out situations where someone needs to apologize or forgive. Practice how to share your feelings and respond.

youth outside courthouse — Visit a police station, fire station, or other community service. Learn about what they do, and thank them for their service.

youth on swing — Introduce yourself to someone new, and invite the person to play with you.

happy face emoji — Practice using only words that would make someone happy, not sad. Talk about what you can say if someone says unkind words to you.

ambivalent youth — Practice calming down when you feel angry. For example, take deep breaths, count to 10, or imagine you are in a favorite place.

youth talking — Introduce yourself to someone new in your school, neighborhood, or ward or branch. Help this person meet other people.

Ideas for Physical Growth

youth praying

youth cooking — Help to prepare a healthy meal or snack. Share it with your family or friends.

youth exercising — Do something regularly to move your body, like sports, dance, exercise, or playing outside.

youth brushing teeth and hair — Keep your body clean every day. Bathe regularly. Brush your teeth and care for your hair each day.

youth recycling — Do something to help make your home a nice place to live, such as cleaning, decorating, or yard work.

youth organizing belongings — Ask your parents to teach you how to repair or take care of the things you use.

youth painting — Draw, paint, or sketch a picture, and give it to someone you love.

youth playing guitar — Learn how to sing a song, play an instrument, or conduct music. Offer to share your skill in home evening or another activity.

youth thinking about snacks — 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.

family hiking — Go on a walk or hike with family or friends to explore the world around you.

people playing trumpets — Share one of your talents with someone who is lonely.

people looking at map — Make a plan with your parents or leaders for what to do in an emergency.

Ideas for Intellectual Growth

youth praying

youth paying tithing — Learn why it is important to pay tithing. Give ten percent of your income to the Lord.

mother and daughter reading — Read a book about a new subject, or read a book that is longer than you normally read.

family using computer — Make a list of your family’s rules for using the internet or apps.

youth reading — Choose something you’re interested in, and learn everything you can about it.

people at museum — Visit a museum or cultural event in your area. Talk to your friends or family about something new you learned.

people fixing car — Visit someone you know at their work to learn what they do and how things work.

people talking — This could be a person you know or someone from history or the scriptures. Decide how you can be more like them.

chart, cause and effect — 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.

person thinking — Memorize a favorite scripture, poem, or song.

youth using smartphone — Learn to say hello and other basic words in another language. Practice with someone who speaks that language, if possible.

youth writing — Write a story about your life or about a family member.