As a parent, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about your child’s future. You want them to be happy, of course, but you’re probably also hoping that they become independent and capable of realizing their dreams.
No matter your child’s age, it’s never too late to teach them about setting and achieving goals. If you’re not sure where to begin, this guide will provide you with plenty of goal ideas, teach kids effective goal-setting techniques, and show you how to support your child in following through on their plans—whatever those plans may be. Setting goals with your child takes effort, but the journey is definitely worth it.
Why is it Important for Kids to Set Goals?
As children grow, they develop habits and patterns that stick with them into adulthood. Your child might not naturally know how to set and achieve goals. However, practicing these skills early on can make daily life much easier as they grow. Whether they aim to graduate from high school or college, buy a home, or launch their own business, starting with small goals in childhood will better equip them to make those kinds of dreams come true.
What are the Benefits of Setting Goals?
Setting and achieving goals is more than just a feel-good moment—although hitting a milestone is always a win! It also teaches kids some important skills:
- Responsibility: Whether they meet their targets or not largely depends on their own effort. Taking charge helps them find success.
- Time management: If there’s a deadline, they’ll need to figure out how to manage their time to hit it. This skill will be super useful in their future careers.
- Resilience: Life has its ups and downs, especially with tough goals. If kids really want to achieve something, they’ll learn to handle setbacks.
- Perseverance: To get to their goal, they might need to try different approaches and keep pushing forward.
- Accountability: If they do want to hit their target goal, it’s on them if there’s a shortcoming or setback. Being accountable for their actions towards achieving these goals can help them stay focused and committed to meeting them. Accountability also goes hand in hand with similar skill developments such as responsibility and perseverance.
- Good habit formation: Kids often adjust their behaviour to hit certain goals. For example, a child who usually doesn’t read might start picking up books at bedtime to boost their understanding or reach their school targets.
- Commitment: Setting goals that kids can commit to helps them stay focused, dedicated, and motivated to create strategies, some of which can boost their confidence. You can help maintain this sense of commitment to their goals by acknowledging their hard work and achievements.
- Decision-making: Having clear goals helps kids concentrate and allocate their resources wisely. They’ll get better at handling both simple and complex tasks, making the most of their time.
What are Some Examples of Goals for Kids?
Goal setting for kids and teens is pretty similar to how adults set goals. However, the process might involve fewer steps, shorter timelines, and different targets. Here are four solid goal ideas for kids to try out:
- Academic goals: Your child can establish goals related to homework, reading, or grades for their classes. For instance: “I want to get an A in my language arts class, so I will finish my homework every night before I have any screen time.”
- Financial goals: Usually, financial goals for kids and teens focus on saving up for something special or learning to manage a first credit card. For example: “I want to buy a video game, and I need $20 more. I will do $5 worth of extra chores each week, so that I can buy the game in four weeks.”
- Social goals: Your child might wish to conquer their fear of public speaking or make more friends at school. For instance: “I want to make two new friends this year, so I will go to at least half of the birthday parties I’m invited to, even though I feel shy.”
- Habit goals: Your child may want to keep their room tidier, get more exercise, or cut down on their use of disposable plastics because they care about climate change. For example: “I want to declutter my room, so I’ll spend an hour each Sunday going through my closet and drawers until I have three boxes to donate.”
5 Ways to Support Your Kids and Teens in Setting Goals
A significant aspect of goal setting for children and teenagers is selecting the appropriate goal (or goals—however it’s best not to have too many goals at once, as that can be overwhelming, even for adults). In addition to going through the S.M.A.R.T. goals checklist (see below*), you and your child can take a few extra steps to ensure a goal is suitable for them. Here are some of the most effective goal-setting strategies for kids of all ages:
1. Allow kids to choose
You might have a whole list of goals you wish your child would pursue—but hold back. Even if you really want your kid to keep their room clean, achieve straight As, or be the top scorer on their hockey team, they’re likely to be more successful if it’s something that truly matters to them.
2. Listen for more possibilities
Your child might express a desire without giving it much thought, like, “I wish I could be the lead in the school play” or, “I wish I had a backpack like that kid in my class.” Use those moments to discuss the wish, assess if it’s realistic and meaningful (that is, it will still be important in a week), and then brainstorm specific steps to turn that wish into a goal.
3. Make goals achievable
Starting with small, easily attainable goals is a great way to build momentum. Once your child experiences some success, they’ll be more motivated to raise their next goal to something a bit more challenging, yet still achievable. For instance, if your child typically earns $5 a week for chores, it’s unrealistic for them to aim for a $100 toy within a month, even if they double or triple their chores.
4. Establish both short-term and long-term goals
The two primary types of goals, short-term and long-term, can complement each other:
Short-term goals
For children, these goals should be achievable within a short timeframe—generally a few days to a few weeks. They can also serve as steps towards a larger long-term goal. Examples of short-term goals might include reading a chapter of a book each night for a week or organizing a garage sale to save up for a new video game.
Long-term goals
These goals take more time to accomplish and often require sustained effort. Examples of long-term goals could be aiming for an A in a class by the end of the school year or getting accepted into their preferred university.
5. Focus on age-appropriate goals
While some kids are naturally more driven and goal-oriented than others, they are still kids. Goals for kids or teens shouldn’t look the same as goals for adults, as children may have different abilities, shorter attention spans, more challenges with delayed gratification, and fewer opportunities to earn money. Remember to consider your child’s age when they begin setting goals. Achieving smaller successes is far better than failing to reach something unrealistic.
4 Ways to Assist Your Children in Reaching Their Goals
You can assist your child in setting and reaching their goals by sitting down together to devise a plan and motivating them to follow through with it.
1. Write down goals
Begin by encouraging your kids to jot down their goals. Focus on whether each goal is realistic, and identify whether it’s short or long-term. Simply writing goals down increases the likelihood of achieving them.
2. List steps to reach goals
If a goal seems too broad or too ambitious, it can become daunting, so break it into smaller, manageable steps—essentially mini-goals that build toward the larger goal. Assist your child in dividing the goal into smaller, digestible parts, known as S.M.A.R.T. goals (see below*).
3. Monitor progress
While you can’t compel your child to pursue their goals, you can check in to provide support and see how they’re progressing. Suggest they create a chart on a poster board or note deadlines in a calendar, allowing them to visualize their journey. This way, both of you will have a clear view of whether your child is on track. Sometimes, monitoring progress means adjusting the plan. For instance, some steps might take longer than your child initially anticipated, and that’s perfectly normal.
4. Provide positive affirmations
Pursuing goals requires time and commitment. Make sure your kids know you recognize their efforts and are proud of them. Your opinion holds significant weight with your child—even if they don’t always express it.
Goal-Setting Activities for Kids
Is your child eager to crush their math test? Are they excited about joining the baseball team? No matter what they’re aiming for, these goal-setting activities can spark their motivation!
1. S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Age range: 6+
S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound. It’s a way for your child to determine if the goal they want to set is “smart,” which means it’s sensible for them and something they can realistically achieve. To see if a goal fits the S.M.A.R.T. criteria, use this checklist:
Specific: Is the goal outlined in clear steps?
Measurable: How will your child know when they’ve accomplished their goal? Simply getting “better” at something isn’t a clear measure of success. But changing that C+ to an A- definitely is.
Attainable: Does your child possess the skills and resources needed to achieve the goal?
Realistic: Is the goal genuinely important to your child? How will reaching this goal bring them satisfaction or enhance their life?
Time-bound: What is the deadline (or deadlines, if there are several steps) for achieving the goal?
2. Family Bucket List
Age range: 4+
Want a fun way to set goals together as a family? Try creating a family bucket list. Here’s how to do it:
- Come up with a list of activities or goals you want to accomplish by the end of the year.
- Write each activity on a separate piece of paper and place them in a mason jar or any container you like.
- As the year progresses, keep track of what you’ve achieved. If there are still items in the jar, save them for next year’s bucket list.
3. A Day in the Life
Age range: 4+
This activity is super easy—just guide each other through what an ideal day looks like! Here’s a simple format to follow:
- Discuss your daily routines. You might mention waking up, brushing your teeth, making breakfast, heading to work, and tidying up before bed.
- Consider the tasks and goals you need to accomplish each day and pinpoint any challenges that might be holding you back.
- You can jot down your perfect day on a small piece of paper to display in your workspace.
3. Wheel of Fortune
Age range: 4+
Younger kids who need a little help with setting goals can have a blast with this activity alongside the whole family. Here’s how to get started:
- Draw a big wheel and split it into different sections.
- Label each section with various categories like Family, Friends, School, Sports, Art, and so on.
- For each category, jot down the goals you want to achieve within a specific timeframe.
- Once you’ve chosen your categories, you can brainstorm specific goals for each one. For example, under Hobbies, you could write down a goal like “Learn to make
Eggs Benedict.” - For each goal, think about the challenges you might face and what you and your child can do to tackle them.
4. Imaginative Questions
Age range: 4+
Spark your child’s imagination about their goals by throwing some fun questions their way. Here are a few you might consider asking:
What would you do if you hit the jackpot and won a million dollars?
If a genie could grant you three wishes, what would you wish for?
If you could have any superpower, what would it be used for?
Encourage your child to dream big, using their answers as a guide to set more achievable goals.
5. Growth Mindsets
Age range: 4+
Kids often struggle to see the positives when facing challenges. Helping them develop a growth mindset by swapping out negative thoughts for positive ones can teach them to embrace setbacks and view mistakes as opportunities for growth.
Ask your child about their insecurities. They might say something like, “I’m not good at sports,” or “Math is too tough for me.” That’s when you turn each of those statements into something uplifting. For example, you could say, “I can improve my serve when I play tennis,” or “It may take some time and effort, but I can get better at math.”
6. Goal Ladders
Age range: 5+
Goal Ladders offer a fun visual tool for kids to think about their aspirations. Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Create a simple stair-step diagram.
- Have your child jot down their biggest dream at the top of the stairs.
- At the bottom, write the first goal that leads to that dream, along with the steps needed to get there.
- On the next step, add the second goal, continuing to build on each step with more goals and actions. For example, if your child is interested in playing the piano, their goals might look like this:
- Practice scales for 20 minutes daily
- Learn five new chords
- Master a song
7. 3 Stars and a Wish
Age range: 5+
3 Stars and a Wish is a fantastic way to celebrate your child’s accomplishments. Here’s how to do it:
- Cut out three stars and ask your child to list three things they excel at. They might say, “I comfort my friends when they’re feeling down,” “I read for 30 minutes each day,” and “I tidy up after using my art supplies.”
- Once they have their stars, use them to spark a conversation. How did they get good at these skills? How long did it take? What challenges did they face? Use positive affirmation cards to give them some encouragement.
- Finally, have your child think of a wish. If it’s a big one, help them break it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
8. Ways to Achieve Success
Age range: 5+
Sometimes, finding success is all about celebrating the little victories. Use our success poster to promote healthy habits like eating right, getting enough sleep, practicing self-care, and taking initiative to motivate kids to reach their goals. Here’s what you can do:
Every night before bed, share five ways you can achieve success together. Encourage your child to think of five additional ways they believe they can succeed.
9. Vision Board
Age range: 6+
Vision boards are a fun and engaging way for kids to think about their goals while also sparking creativity. Here’s how to create them:
Grab some old magazines or print out photos that represent your goals, passions, and dreams.
Stick these images onto a poster board, and feel free to jazz it up with glitter, paints, or markers.
Discuss with your child how they plan to reach these goals.
10. Backward Goal Setting
Age range: 6+
Backward goal setting is a fantastic method to help your child see that big goals become achievable when broken into steps. This activity emphasizes that with hard work, focus, and the right tools, almost anything is possible. Here’s how to set backward goals:
Have your child think about a big goal they accomplished this year and write it at the top of the paper. For example, they might write, “Got an A in English class.”
Next, have them think about how they reached that goal, listing the steps they took. For example, “I read more books,” or “I studied for 30 minutes after dinner every weekday.”
11. Written Goal-Setting Technique
Age range: 7+
Simply writing down goals can help kids remember they’re on the road to success. Some kids like straightforward to-do lists, while others enjoy breaking tasks down in more detailed journal entries. Here’s a quick guide to written goal setting:
List ten goals you want to achieve in the next year. Read your goals at bedtime and first thing in the morning. As you read each goal, take a moment to close your eyes and picture yourself achieving it.
While visualizing each goal, feel the positive emotions that come with success. Be thankful for what you’ve accomplished. Imagine how others will benefit from your success.
What Happens When Kids Don’t Hit a Goal?
Failure might not feel great, but it can be an incredibly valuable teacher. Instead of adjusting the goal to fit your child’s skills, think about what can be learned from the setback. Remember, failure is often a crucial step on the path to success.
Then, you can reassess the goal together:
- Acknowledge your child’s effort and hard work. The final outcome isn’t the only thing that counts.
- Take another look at the goal. Was it too unclear? Was it unrealistic? The S.M.A.R.T. criteria can be useful here, too.
- Ask your child about their thoughts. Do they have any ideas on what they could change moving forward?
- Think about the perks of reaching the goal next time. How will they feel?
- Avoid using rewards that shift the focus away from learning and effort.
Ultimately, your child will grasp the concept of goal setting by learning to strive for what they desire—be it an A in science or achieving financial independence as an adult.
We’re Ready to Assist in Your Goal Setting Needs
Helping kids set and achieve goals teaches them important skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. While it’s ultimately up to your child to reach their goals, you can assist by helping them establish targets that are S.M.A.R.T. Additionally, you can check in on their progress and provide positive feedback to encourage them.
Goal setting can be fun and engaging rather than dull and repetitive. With the activities mentioned earlier, it can transform into an enjoyable and motivating experience for the whole family!
A key part of effective goal setting is having the right tools to get your child’s mind engaged. At Sparkling Seeds, we are dedicated to ensuring children are equipped with these life skills and assisting families in reaching any goals that might be extra challenging. Our multidisciplinary team is here to support you and your family as you navigate goal setting together.
Book a consultation and explore options and opportunities that will best suit your child and family’s needs.
