Teaching Kids How to Set Goals, and How to Actually Accomplish Them
/Goal-setting, and actually following through on the goals we set, can be difficult for adults and children alike. We can all stand to practice principles of goal-setting more, especially if you are aiming to be more consistent and disciplined this year (see our previous post, “Our 5 Words for the New Year”). There are a few tips that Gillis Education teaches our students, beginning as early as second and third grade.
When you decide that you want to accomplish a specific goal, ask yourself, “What smaller, more digestible tasks do I need to get done in order to accomplish my bigger goal?” Small, achievable “to-dos” makes the larger goal reachable. For instance, if your child says that one of their goals is to become a better reader, you may want to help them set a goal of reading 10 minutes per day or 60 minutes per week. You all can use a journal or agenda book to track their progress.
Make goal-setting fun by using visualization techniques. Grab a poster or a piece of cardboard, magazines, newspapers, and your creativity, and make a vision board. Actually visualizing what accomplishing their goal looks like in real life will help them to take the necessary steps to get there. This is an activity we love doing with our students throughout the year!
Encourage consistency and persistence by reminding your child that some goals are difficult, but just because obstacles may pop up, it is worth it to keep putting your best foot forward to reach those goals.
Finally, you are your child’s first role model. Show them what setting goals, and achieving them, looks like. Talk to them about your own personal and professional goals and explain how you plan to tackle them.
We hope these words of advice help you and your family on your goal-setting journeys for the new year. Don’t forget to take time to celebrate the small wins along the way!