Quotes and Resources to Inspire Your Kids
I love a little inspiration to motivate me to work hard, stick to it, and dream big. You know who else could use a little inspiration? Our kids! In this article, you’ll find a selection of monthly motivation for kids—inspirational quotes specifically geared to kids and tweens. These quotes spotlight positive character traits like a strong work ethic, leadership, and kindness.
Kids Need Inspiration
I find myself saying the same things to my three daughters over and over again. Things like, “Don’t settle for good enough. Aspire to excellence.” Or, “I want you to be known for being kind.” Those things are true, but sometimes kids, and especially the demographic I’m parenting right now—tweens and teens—need to get their inspiration from someone who isn’t also telling them to put the milk back in the fridge or pick up their dirty socks!
Our kids need reminders to help them focus on the mundane, but necessary, tasks we hope to teach them. They equally need inspiration for the big-picture character traits and mindsets we hope to instill.
The 12 quotes listed here provide monthly motivation for kids around the values of hard work, kindness, positivity, and perseverance.
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Monthly Motivation Quotes For Kids
This collection of quotes is designed to be used for an entire year, focusing on one quote each month. Each month’s quote comes from a famous historical person who was born in that month. I’ve included resources for further learning, and conversation ideas around that person’s life or ideas.
(NOTE: These quotes are from people who exhibited admirable qualities, but like us all, were complex, sometimes flawed human beings. The inclusion of quotations here is not a blanket endorsement of everything these individuals did or said.)
January
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader and activist (Born January 15, 1929)
Resources to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? by Bonnie Bader
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- I Have a Dream Speech (YouTube – Rare Facts)
Conversation about Martin Luther King, Jr.
What do you think Dr. King meant by this? (Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t accomplished a big goal, or feel that your contributions aren’t significant. Every small step toward a positive outcome is great. Sometimes it takes years of small steps to accomplish the great thing.)
Read: 10 Terrific Ways to Refresh Your Homeschool in January
February
“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”
Michael Jordan, former NBA basketball player (Born February 17, 1963)
Resources to learn more about Michael Jordan
- Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan
- Michael Jordan Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- Michael Jordan biography & greatest moments ESPN video at Kidzworld
Conversation about Michael Jordan
What things did Michael Jordan expect of himself? Is it always true that if you expect something of yourself that you can do them? Do you think that it is possible to do big or significant things if you don’t believe in yourself?
Read: How to Speak Your Child’s Love Language
March
“You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel), American children’s book author (Born March 2, 1904)
Resources to learn more about Dr. Seuss
- Who Was Dr. Seuss? by Janet Pascal
- Dr. Seuss Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- 5 Fun-tastical Facts About Dr. Seuss! (YouTube – Writer’s Relief)
Conversation about Dr. Seuss
Watch the fun-tastical facts video linked above and talk through some of these questions.
How many times was Dr. Seuss’ first book rejected? Hearing this should help you feel more hopeful the next time you experience rejection or failure. There is an old saying traced back to an American educator named Thomas Palmer: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
What was the bet that resulted in Dr. Seuss’ book, Green Eggs and Ham? Sometimes constraints actually enhance our creativity. The next time you encounter limitations when you are tasked with a project or assignment, don’t let those restrictions prevent you from accepting the challenge. You may find that your ability to come up with a creative solution is strengthened when you are required to work within strict guidelines.
Read: How to Organize Your Phone
April
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou, author, poet, and civil rights activist (Born April 4, 1928)
Resources to learn more about Maya Angelou
- Who Was Maya Angelou? by Ellen Labrecque
- Maya Angelou Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- Maya Angelou: I’m a Rainbow in Somebody’s Cloud (YouTube – Children’s Defense Fund)
Conversation about Maya Angelou
Why do you think Maya Angelou said that people will never forget how you made them feel? Can you think of a time that someone made you feel valued or special in some way? Use this monthly motivation to remind you to think about how your tone or body language affects the way you make someone feel.
Read: 250 Positive Personality Traits to Describe Your Child
May
“Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift—there is nothing small about it.”
Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing (Born May 12, 1820)
Resources to learn more about Florence Nightingale
- Heart and Soul: The Story of Florence Nightingale by Gena Gorrell
- Florence Nightingale Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- Florence Nightingale – Famous Nurse (YouTube – Biography)
Conversation about Florence Nightingale
Why would Florence Nightingale be especially aware of life being a splendid gift? What gets in the way of you looking at life as a gift every day? What could help you live life to the fullest? (A conscious focus on gratitude has been shown to improve the outlook of those who practice thankfulness. Try keeping a gratitude journal, or making a habit of thinking of something to be thankful for before you go to sleep each night.)
Read: 60 Creative Ways to Demonstrate Learning
June
“What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it from happening again.”
Anne Frank, young Jewish girl known for her famous diary, “The Diary of Anne Frank” (Born June 12, 1929)
Resources to learn more about Anne Frank
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- Anne Frank Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- Anne Frank’s Diary (YouTube – Anne Frank’s Diary Feature Animated Film)
Conversation about Anne Frank
After learning about Anne Frank’s experience with being forced into hiding, does this quote take on a greater meaning?
On an individual level, how much do you try to learn from your mistakes? If you find yourself regretting a decision or choice, do you take responsibility for the results and decide to avoid similar situations in the future?
Read: 11 Fun End of Year Activity Ideas for Homeschoolers
July
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States (Born July 11, 1767)
Resources to learn more about John Quincy Adams
- John Quincy Adams: Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents by Mike Venezia
- John Quincy Adams Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- America’s Presidents – John Quincy Adams (YouTube – VOA Learning English)
Conversation about John Quincy Adams
If you had to choose between inspiring others to dream more, learn more, do more, or become more, which would you want to be known for? Do you enjoy being in a position of leadership, or do you feel more comfortable in the background? (Everyone can be an inspiration to someone, even if you are not in a position of formal leadership.)
Read: Summer Checklist for Kids
August
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
Mother Teresa, Catholic nun who dedicated her life to helping the poor (Born August 27, 1910)
Resources to learn more about Mother Teresa
- Who Was Mother Teresa? by Jim Gigliotti
- Mother Teresa Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- Top 10 Inspiring Mother Teresa Quotes (YouTube – The Top Ten Amazing)
Conversation about Mother Teresa
Can you recall a time someone spoke kind words to you? Can you remember a time your intentionally spoke kind words to another person?
Watch the short video of the Top 10 Inspiring Mother Teresa Quotes, and see if any other words from Mother Teresa resonate with you. Start a list quotes that inspire you, and add to it anytime you read or hear words that impact you deeply.
Read: Practical Organization for Back-to-School
September
“Instinct is a marvelous thing. It can neither be explained nor ignored.”
Agatha Christie, English author best known for her detective novels (Born September 15, 1890)
Resources to learn more about Agatha Christie
- Agatha Christie: Little People, Big Dreams by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
- Agatha Christie Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- Top 10 Facts About Agatha Christie (YouTube – TheExpressOnline)
Conversation about Agatha Christie
Have you ever made a decision based on your instinct rather than hard data? How did it turn out? Do you believe you can trust your instincts? (Your instinct may in fact provide assistance in decision-making, but it is always a good idea to ask for advice and input from trusted and reliable sources. Choosing a path based solely on your feelings is often a recipe for disaster.)
Read: 12 Ways to Add Fun to Your Homeschool Year
October
“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
Eleanor Roosevelt, longest-serving First Lady of the United States, diplomat, and activist (Born October 11, 1884)
Resources to learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt
- Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? by Gare Thompson
- Eleanor Roosevelt Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- History Brief: Eleanor Roosevelt (YouTube – Reading Through History)
Conversation about Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt was orphaned by the age of 10, certainly experiencing times of fear and uncertainty. Do you believe that facing and overcoming fear can help you grow and gain confidence to face down whatever may come?
Can you think of an example of a time you did the thing you thought you couldn’t do?
Read: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Meal Planning
November
“Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”
Dale Carnegie, American author of “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” (Born November 24, 1888)
Resources to learn more about Dale Carnegie
- Website: Dale Carnegie Facts from Softschools
- Dale Carnegie Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- Dale Carnegie: The World’s Most Determined Man (YouTube – Life Stories)
Conversation about Dale Carnegie
Do you have a tendency to worry about things? Take a few minutes to reflect on this quote from Dale Carnegie. Does it make you think any differently about what you are worrying about today? (Sometimes, the things we spend time worrying about never come to pass. Don’t miss out on the beauty and joy of life by fixating on the possibility of something that may not happen.)
Read: 3 Steps to Get Things Done When You’re Overwhelmed
December
“Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”
Louis Pasteur, biologist and chemist known for discoveries in vaccinations and pasteurization (Born December 27, 1822)
Resources to learn more about Louis Pasteur
- The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur by Spencer Johnson
- Louis Pasteur Facts & Worksheets from KidsKonnect
- Louis Pasteur – Scientist (YouTube – Biography)
Conversation about Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur is widely recognized for his contributions to modern medical practices in cleanliness, virus behavior, and vaccine developments. At one point he was publicly praised for his many accomplishments, and this quote was part of his response. Does this encourage you to keep going in pursuit of your goals? Big and worthwhile goals often require a great deal of tenacity.
Read: Christmas Planning Tips to Ease Stress and Plan Ahead
Monthly Motivation for Kids Printable
Get your “Monthly Motivation for Kids” printables and inspire your kids all year long!
Print them out and post them on the fridge to use as a conversation starter at dinner. Or put them in a binder for your child to refer back to and reflect on throughout the month. This monthly motivation for kids provides encouragement in developing and strengthening their character.
Visit my homeschool resources page for monthly unit study ideas, projects, and homeschool planning help!
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Monthly Motivation for Kids
