Ideas For Children

Goal Directed Behavior

Being able to set and achieve goals is a valuable life skill. Everything that goes into setting and achieving goals (having a clear, specific vision of what we want to learn or accomplish; having a plan that we can actually carry out, if we stay motivated, tracking and measuring our progress along the way; and creating a timeline for reaching our goal so that we are reminded to stay on track) help to prepare us for work life, for higher education, and for contributing to our families and communities in ways that are meaningful for us.

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."

~ Confucius

Optimistic Thinking

Some optimists consistently ascribe benevolent motives to others and interpret situations in the best possible light; others simply disassociate their internal mood from external circumstances, no matter how sticky. Being optimistic is not necessarily always the "best" strategy, though. Research shows that tempering a sunny disposition with a small dose of realism, or even pessimism, might be the best way to build resilience and achieve one's goals.

Optimism is an attitude that can positively affect a person’s mental and physical health. Optimism can also help reduce a person’s stress and increase longevity.

-Psychology Today

“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.”

~Helen Keller

Relationship Skills

Relationship skills, like skills in sports, the arts, and academic subjects, are carefully built by practice, practice, practice. The more intentional we are about noticing people who demonstrate positive relationship skills and sharing that with our children, the more they will grow in their ability to notice and name those traits themselves. Hearing that you value these ways of interacting with others supports your child’s willingness to work at developing their relationship skills. It also can strengthen their appreciation of other students who are working on building their skills, too.

"“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

~Maya Angelou