Counselor's Corner     

Goal setting:  An Important Life Skill

Happy New Year! Did you know that you are 42% more likely to meet your goals if you write them down? According to Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, people are 42% more likely to carry out their goals just by writing them down. That’s right….the simple act of writing down your goals can help you accomplish them.  Try starting the new year with a fun family activity that has a life-long impact. Accomplishing goals, big or small can help a child by boosting their self-esteem, confidence, and sense of accomplishment, providing them with a sense of purpose and motivation, and developing important skills like perseverance, problem-solving, and planning as they work to achieve their goals.  

Here are some key points to get started:

• Make it personal: Let children choose their goals to increase engagement and ownership. Brainstorm together and ask open ended questions like, “What would you like to achieve?” Or, “What would you like to learn?” Maybe they want to learn to do a cartwheel, or tie their own shoes, or maybe, ride a bike. The specific goal isn't really important, but learning the process and reaping all the benefits are.   

• Keep it simple: Break down a larger goal into smaller, manageable steps. Be sure to clearly state the goal by writing down and posting it somewhere where your child can see it every day.  I linked templates at the bottom for you if needed.  

• Use visuals: Create a plan.  Utilize charts, stickers, or goal ladders to track progress and visualize achievement. Make sure to include an end date.  

• Celebrate the milestones:  Acknowledge and reward progress along the way, not just the final achievement.  Adjustments and changes can be made.  This is all part of the process and learning to make changes helps improve adaptability.  

Here are some the benefits kids will gain from accomplishing goals: 

• Increased self-esteem: Reaching goals, even small ones, reinforces a child's belief in their abilities, leading to a positive self-image. 

• Improved motivation: Having a clear goal to work towards keeps a child engaged and motivated to put in effort. 

• Development of resilience: Facing challenges and overcoming obstacles while working towards a goal builds resilience in a child. 

• Enhanced problem-solving skills: Planning and strategizing to achieve a goal encourages a child to think critically and find solutions to obstacles.

• Sense of responsibility: Setting and working towards goals teaches a child to take ownership of their actions and commitments. 

• Focus and prioritization: Setting goals helps a child identify what is important and concentrate their energy on achieving it. 

• Positive habit building: Working towards goals can encourage the development of good habits like discipline and perseverance.

• Time management: Goal setting can help kids learn time management skills as well as organization.   

Encourage your child to share goals they are working on with their teacher or with me.  I can't wait to hear what they accomplish! Here are a few goal setting templates to get you started.  Have fun!  🙂

      Goal Statement TK - 2nd Template SMART Goal Template 3rd - 5th