Four easy ways to teach your child to set goals

Setting goals in life, be it building a house for our family, buying that dream car, or even going on a trip somewhere exotic, is an integral part of adulthood. We strive, work hard, and wake up every day ready to do what it takes to achieve that goal. The goal-setting mindset, however, starts early.  

Teaching kids to be goal-oriented early in life has advantages that could work in their favor as they get older. But how can you help them get into this mindset?

How to teach a child goal-setting

What it means

Take some time to tell your child what a goal is, what it means to set one, and what they would need to do to achieve that goal. Give them examples from your life, like how you achieved something in life by first setting goals.

Explain that sometimes achieving a goal means stepping out of one's comfort zone or achieving something your child considers impossible.

Pick goals

Let your child take the lead in what they want to set as their goal. Instead of pushing your child to what you want them to achieve, ask them questions like, "what's something you wish you could achieve?", "what would you like to do if you knew you couldn't fail?".

Also, have them understand that their first goal needs to be specific and that the progress towards achieving that goal is simple. For example, if your child's goal is to achieve "I want to score better grades," it could be helpful. Still, a goal like "I want to score an A in science" is more precise, and they can work on achieving that specific goal.

Also read: Help your child communicate effectively

Prepare for disappointments 

A big step towards achieving their goals is for your child to know that there'll be hurdles or setbacks along the way. Maybe even after working hard, they scored a B on that science test, but that doesn't immediately mean scoring an A is not possible.

Teach them that minor setbacks or failures should motivate them, let them thrive, and work even harder.

Be their cheerleader

You can also acknowledge your child's efforts and winnings. Parents are the first pillar of support and encouragement for all children, so being there for your child is paramount. It is up to the parent to ensure their children do not feel like they've lost their will. Children can work harder to achieve their goals and set more ambitious goals when surrounded by positivity.

Bonus tip: Ask them to write down their goals. Translating your child's goal onto a vision board could be helpful for them in remembering the goals better, the steps to achieving them, and the little accomplishments along the way. If they want to give up on the goal, the vision board can be a way of reminding them why they wanted to achieve the goal in the first place.

At byjuslearning.com, we provide curriculum-aligned, grade-level learning experiences for kids between ages 4 to 8, helping them build on skills they learn in school. 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is NOT medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, provide medical or behavioral advice, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, condition, or behavior. You should consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your child’s development to make a medical diagnosis, determine a treatment for a medical condition, or obtain other related advice.