New Year – New You?
The start of a new year often brings a sense of hope and renewed energy. You may often hear the phrase “New Year, New You” at this time of year. While positive in spirit, it can sometimes suggest that improvement must be immediate or dramatic. For children especially, this can unintentionally create pressure or the idea that they are only valued once a change has been made. New Year is a time when people naturally pause, reflect and think about the months ahead. Alongside this optimism, however, there can also be a quieter pressure, for children as well as adults, to change quickly, improve rapidly or commit to ambitious resolutions. Almost that you must change who you are. The truth is, you don’t need to change who you are, you are already enough. You may instead want to consider how you might want to grow, taking into account what is already good; noticing where improvements can be made; commit to making small, kind choices each day.
At school, we take a gentle and measured view with children. We do not believe that children need to be “fixed” in January, or at any other time of year. What they need most is time, encouragement and space to grow – and for that growth to happen in a way that feels supportive rather than demanding. Instead, we focus on something much calmer, kinder and far more sustainable: small improvements, made consistently. We talk to the children about being the best at getting better, encouraging them to recognise their talents and to grow them.
This way of thinking supports children to develop confidence, resilience and a positive relationship with learning. It helps them understand that consistent and sustained effort matters, that mistakes are expected, and that progress does not need to be rushed.
Author James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, popularised the idea of 1% improvement for everyday life. He explains that, “If you get 1% better each day, those improvements compound over time.” His work has helped bring the idea of marginal gains into a variety of contexts focusing on habits, mindset and sustainability rather than dramatic change.
You may have heard of the 1% philosophy as used by British Cycling to grow by marginal gains, this was led by Sir Dave Brailsford. Brailsford introduced the idea of “the aggregation of marginal gains” – improving every small part of performance by just 1%. Rather than looking for one big breakthrough, the team focused on tiny improvements across everything: training, equipment, nutrition, sleep and wellbeing. And the result was extraordinary, there was a complete transformation of a previously underperforming team which ten went on to earn multiple Olympic gold medals as well as Tour de France victories.
And this brings me to Kaisen.
Kaizen, a Japanese term which means “change for the better” , encourages improvement through small, manageable steps taken over time, rather than sudden or unrealistic change. It reminds us that steady progress is far more meaningful – and far more lasting – than quick fixes or unattainable perfection. Growth, under Kaizen, is not forced or hurried; it is nurtured patiently and thoughtfully.
Toyota is the most famous long‑term adopter of Kaizen, and the company where the philosophy truly came to life. At Toyota, every employee is encouraged to suggest small improvements; progress is focused on consistency, not speed and mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn. This approach became known as the Toyota Production System and is now studied worldwide as a model of continuous improvement. Toyota’s success shows how Kaizen works not through pressure or perfection, but through patience, reflection and shared responsibility
Kaizen – A Gentle Approach to Growth for Children
For children, Kaizen means understanding that it is good to take tiny steps forward. It helps them see that challenge is not something to fear, but something to approach with curiosity and persistence. When something feels tricky, Kaizen encourages children to try again, rather than give up. Crucially, it reinforces the idea that mistakes are not failures but an essential part of learning. Children come to understand that progress does not require perfection, only willingness and effort.
You might hear a child sum this up simply as:
“Just getting a little bit better each day.”
Kaizen reminds us that real growth happens gently, patiently, and one step at a time. Rather like a seed growing, deep underground changes are happening, unseen. It doesn’t rush, it doesn’t compare itself to other seeds, it grows a little every day, at its own pace. All it needs is time, care and patience.
For a child, improving by “1%” does not mean being the best or always getting things right. Instead, it might look like:
- having another go when something feels difficult
- listening a little more carefully
- choosing kinder or more thoughtful words
- settling more quickly after a mistake
- thinking “I can’t do this yet” rather than “I can’t do this”
These small moments, repeated over time, are what build confidence, resilience and self‑belief. They empower at every level; they allow children to move forward at their own pace, secure in the knowledge that growth is a journey — not a race.
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