“It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.” - Simple Expressions Art

This quote speaks the importance of goal setting and working towards being a better YOU. This concept isn’t just for adults. Kids are capable of learning how ‘to become a better me’. Just like with anything in life, they need to be taught how and modeled proper goal setting. Here are some simple, easy to use, ideas for empowering kids to be goal setters.

1) Express “I believe in you. I believe in me.”

Before they can even think about improving on something, they need to feel and believe that they are capable. Try this simple statement with your child. Whenever you say I believe in you. They say I believe in me. Use this whenever you feel like they need to be empowered AND as often as possible.

2) Grow their mindset.

Getting your child to believe that his brain can grow, and that growth is more important than where you start, is essential. These children books My Fantastic Elastic Brain and Bubblegum Brain will aid in building this mindset.

3) Share your experiences.

So that they can see how valuable goal setting is, tell them about the experiences you’ve had with setting goals and reaching those goals. Talk about the journey and don’t forget to talk about the struggles. If you truly can’t think of any experiences, set a goal to set goals alongside your child.

4) Create simple systems.

For children, the system for goal setting needs to be clear and simple to use. Use these steps. It’s important to do all steps with your child.

• Define it. Think about and discuss something that you are interested in and want to get better at. (Ex: I would really like to get better at remembering to take picture walks before I read.)

• Record it. Have the child write the goal down to make it feel official. For younger children who are unable to write, have them draw a picture that represents the goal. Make sure the goal is obtainable. Children tend to want to conquer the world in a day, so you will need to tone it down to reality. (Ex: I will remember to take a picture walk with 7 of my 10 books this week.)

• Enjoy it. Discuss a tool that they can use to keep track of how they are doing. Make this an enjoyable part of the goal. Use what would bring joy to your child- Whether it’s a sticker chart that you create, marbles in a jar that correlates with a reward, or as simple as a post-it that they tally a mark for each step towards the goal. (Ex: Every time they read a book, ask if they took a picture walk before they started. If they did, put a tally mark on their goal post-it)

• Assess it. Half way through the time you allowed for this goal to be achieved, assess it to see how it’s going. This is a simple discussion with your child by asking questions like, “Let’s look at your tracking and talk about.” (Ex: Discuss how they feel about where they are with taking picture walks.) At this point in the goal, if the child is struggling, ask “What could we do to help you?”

• Measure it. At the end of your allotted goal time, measure the tracking system together and discuss the results.

5) Celebrate together.

Celebrate the SUCCESS and GROWTH.

Before your child starts the process of goal setting, decide how you will celebrate the success. I suggest that the celebration involves a connection to the goal. (Ex: The celebration might be as big as a picture book party where friends can come over and bring their favorite book to share OR as little as going to the bookstore to purchase a new book that they’ve been wanting.)

Even if they didn’t completely meet their goal, celebrate the growth.

Children (and adults) need to believe and understand that it is the process, not the product that defines them. Help them see this by discussing the joys that growth brings.

Have fun with this, as you journey together to become a better you!