Perhaps “goal setting for a kid” hits you with the bizarre picture in your mind’s eye of a first grader drawing up “smart” goals in a day planner or on their PlayStation PDA?
Relax! Put your grownup concepts of goal setting on the back burner and start to see possibilities in the world with childlike eyes. This article looks at how goal setting for a kid of junior school age can be woven into the natural fabric of their daily living — and be fun too!
Start off by resolving to make goal setting fun for your kid. There will come a time when more serious planned activities will appear in his or her life — but for now I suggest you focus purely on a fun event about a month in the future.
It can be a trip to the zoo or to the beach, or perhaps a cinema visit, even a sleep over. Whatever it is, it should excite the child’s imagination and have some active involvement from you as the parent or guardian.
Next, temporarily put on your dunce’s hat and ask your child for help with what you’re going to be doing, seeing, eating etc - relevant to the goal. Pretend to forget some of your child’s advice and information, and ask politely how you’re going to remember all this.
Don’t worry if your kid doesn’t link the idea of making lists of things as a possible solution to your feigned forgetfulness. Just go ahead and make the list (with their help) and stick it on an obvious spot like the freezer door using a funny shaped magnet for all to see and admire.
Let your child also have the ‘glory task’ of painting or drawing a picture of what the goal is going to look like. Make sure to display this picture in a prominent position and encourage him or her to describe what’s going on whenever asked.
Although family lifestyles have been changing in Western countries from the days when the traditional nuclear two-parent family structure was the mainstay; if you have the opportunity to have a shared meal with all members of the family present, take advantage of it to talk about not just the usual daily chitchat but also introduce plans and hopes for the immediate future.
This is your cue to remind everyone of your child’s goal setting without even using those words. In fact if possible, encourage or just let your child update the others naturally.
It can do wonders for a child’s self-confidence to see their little goal up there on the family agenda with all the seemingly important and complicated adult conversations.
The final piece of the puzzle is to encourage respect and appreciation for the trip or event. If possible allow your kid to take some pictures or video on the day. Consider also allowing them to buy a small souvenir for themselves and maybe also for a close friend or relative - using money or ‘credits’ earned from doing family chores in the weeks beforehand.
These simple acts of kindness can help develop a spontaneous love of sharing their good fortune and happiness with others as they go through life. One day when this event has been long forgotten and your child has left home on their own adventure in adult life, you may find yourself thankful for the precious memories and experiences you shared on days like that. May you have many of them.
Need help Goal Setting for a kid but can’t afford an excellent coach?
http://www.goalcreationmaps.com/art
Mark McClure is a certified career & life coach - and a goal setting kid at heart!
Tags: children, coaching, goal setting, smart goals, Success
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