Goal Setting for Students

Making It Fun!

“People with goals succeed because they know where they are going.”

~ Earl Nightingale

Learning to take responsibility is an essential aspect of growing up, so is setting GOALS.

Right from the start, children should be taught the importance of goal setting. Setting the right goals in life is the first step towards your future success. However, not just kids but even adults REALLY struggle in this aspect. A study shows that only 8% of adults actually stick to their goals.

Goals for each child can be unique, as they depend on various factors. The child’s age, inclinations, abilities, and aspirations are few of the significant factors which can help shape goals. Whatever their goals may be Goal settings have some amazing benefits for kids. Below are few of them:

Help them reach their full potential
Perform well both in the school and in the outside world
Prioritize and manage time
Improves self-esteem and confidence
Identify student’s strengths and abilities

How can we teach kids to set realistic goals in life?

Simple, make it FUN!

Parents can never fail when they mix fun and learning together. Before we go ahead, first you must know that there are two categories of goals which students can set for a successful future.

1. Grade-Based Goals:

Grade-based goals mainly focus on the academic achievements. Suppose the child struggles in one subject and wants to improve his/her grades. The goals here can be:

Improve my grades by _ % in the next exams.
Achieve __ points extra than my last exam.

2. Habit-Based Goals:

Habit-based goals are all about personal lifestyle and habits. As age progresses, the habits change. A habit which is considered better at a certain age may not be that fruitful as kids keep growing, and their habits keep changing. Thus, breaking old unproductive habits and developing newer ones are crucial to achieving bigger goals in life.

Here are 5 activities that you can do with your child

These activities are based on the above categories of goal. And they can make goal setting fun and enjoying process:

1. Goal Ladders: Printable goal ladders are readily available online. A goal ladder is a visual tool which can help kids’ breakdown their goals in a doable task. Follow these easy steps:

Keep the Dreams on top of the ladder.
Write the First GOAL at the bottom of the ladder.
Write the Second GOAL at the second step and action towards it.
Continue similarly and write your Third GOAL.
Add dates and drawings anything that can motivate you.

2. Managing Money: Managing money is a crucial activity. There are various easy and fun activities which you can do with your kids and make them realise the importance of saving money.

Pick up a jar or a tin.
Label them with their money goals. For example, “For my LEGO” or “For my Concert Ticket.”
Create an opportunity for them to earn money.

3. Interest Maps:

“Your interest in one thing can lead you to something else.”

Once your child discovers their interest, they can explore further.

Ask them to write down all their interests.
Next, encourage them to find a pattern between their interests and the things they like doing.
Once they see their interest mapped out in front of them, they can create goals from them.

4. Keeping Journal: An age-old tried and tested technique for goal setting. Moreover, a handy way where they can pour their heart. Being a teenager in this highly competitive world is not easy. In their journal, they can write about their thoughts, experiences, dreams, ideas, and any random thing that comes to mind.

5. Vision Boards: Vision boards are usually a combination of pictures and some footnotes.

Ask them to take out some old pictures from magazines which they think represents their goals and aspirations.
Paste these pictures on a poster board or chart paper.
Encourage them to make them attractive with the help of colours and glitters.

It is a fun way to visualize their dreams, goals, and aspirations. As a parent, you can get some valuable insight into the mind of your child. You can pick any of these activities to initiate the Goal-setting process. So, gear up parents and enjoy these fun activities with your child and create some smart, creative, and successful future individuals.