 Setting goals is an important life skill that your child will carry with them into adulthood. Learning how to set goals at a young age will allow your child to be successful and productive in their education and career. Here are a few tips for teaching your child how to set goals and achieve them:
Choose a target
In order for your child to achieve their goals, they must first choose a target. What is it that your child is hoping to achieve or obtain? We recommend starting off with smaller, more manageable goals. Once your child has learned how to set small goals and take intentional action to achieve these goals, they may then tackle larger goals. Your child’s goals should be clear and measurable, so they may easily track their progress.
Develop a course of action
Now that your child has identified their goals, they must develop a course of action. What steps must your child take in order to achieve their goals? If your child has their eye on a new toy, what must they do to obtain that toy? First, they need money to purchase the toy - so how will they acquire the funds to do so? They can earn money by helping with household chores, such as unloading the dishwasher and sweeping the floor. It may take days worth of chores for your child to earn enough money to buy the toy they want, so they should save their earnings until they’ve made enough money to make the purchase. We recommend your child develop a timeline for their plan, as well - the more specific the plan, the more likely it is your child will remain motivated to achieve their goals.
 Reflect and revise as necessary
Now that your child has identified the steps they must take in order to achieve their goals, they can take action! Some goals may take longer than others to achieve, so it is important that your child reflects on their progress as they move through their plan. Here are a few questions to ask your child to aid them in reflecting on their plan and revising as necessary:
How far are you from achieving your goals? What do you have left to do? Are you on track to achieve your goals in the time you set out to achieve them? If not, what can you do to get back on track? Have you encountered any issues? If so, is there a better, more effective course of action you can take? What changes do you need to make in order to achieve your goals?
At The Kangaroo Forest, we understand the importance of goal setting. Goal setting supports independence and improved self-esteem. Our childcare professionals are always encouraging our students to reflect on their goals and take clear, measurable steps to achieving them. Interested in learning more about our programs? Contact us today!
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