"The Secret" taught about it, Zig Ziglar preached about it and businesses thrive on it. Goal setting is known as a vital component of success. But setting goals should move beyond the realm of adulthood. Teaching children how to set and achieve goals not only aids them through their developmental years; it also sets them up for lifelong success.
Types
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children's goals should reflect their lifestyles and ages. With young children, consider goals related to sharing; respecting others; mastering a skill, such as potty training; or peer-related actions. Introduce more achievement, safety and health-related goals at the elementary age, and begin writing them down so they can be reviewed regularly. As age increases, broaden the range of goals, gradually introducing financial and career-related objectives.
Significance
When a child does the work involved in setting a specific goal, tracking that goal, revamping it when necessary, overcoming hurdles that may arise and eventually crossing the finish line, he learns that hard work is often rewarded in the end. Moreover, childhood is when self-esteem begins to develop. Achieving a goal after working hard to do so leaves a child with a strong sense of accomplishment, leading to positive self-esteem. On the other hand, set-backs and failures in the goal process teach kids how to handle upsets in life.
Methods
On StAidensHomeschool.com, Suzie McDermott suggests clearly defining what the child is hoping to achieve as opposed to what others want her to accomplish and determining why it is important. Guide and motivate, but do not do the work for her. This is a learning process for her. Focus on being realistic so she can learn and improve, but also positive so she does not get discouraged. And most importantly: Make it engaging! If she enjoys the process, she is much more likely to continue to incorporate goal setting into her life on a regular basis.
Considerations
Goals are not meant to be a concrete plan that cannot be altered. A 2005 study published in Child Development found that kids are likely to alter their goals when faced with obstacles. In some instances, they ignored their preconceived plans, and they developed feelings of retaliation rather than resolutions to the problem. Therefore, expect children to make changes to their goals, and guide them on proper alternate routes.
Cautions
Make certain to not overemphasize the goals in case the finish line is not reached. Children have to learn to overcome disappointments and failures. If too much focus is placed on achieving the goal, but the child fails, the whole process may cause more harm than good. He may develop a feeling of failure, ultimately lowering his self-esteem and creating a fear of failing at future goals. Remember, this is a learning process for the child.
