A new school year brings excitement and great anticipation. Although many factors contribute to a student’s success, one of the most important factors is goal setting. Starting goal setting in September will help your child to know what they are working towards, with a plan to make it happen. This article is about how parents can help their children set goals and how to follow through with them.
Before setting goals, it is necessary to first take the time to reflect on the previous school year. This should include extracurricular activities, the relationships they’ve fostered with peers, and academics.
Here are some questions they should ask themselves:
Here are some questions they should ask themselves:
Which accomplishment am I most proud of?
What are some areas that I feel I have room for improvement?
The best goals abide by the following acronym, SMART - specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.
Here is a breakdown of what you and your child should keep in mind when setting goals:
Specific - When setting a goal, be sure to include enough detail regarding what they are working towards.
Measurable - What are the steps you and/or your child need to take to achieve the goal? What tools/ resources will they use along the journey towards achieving the goal?
Achievable and Realistic - These two parts of the acronym ‘SMART’ go hand in hand. Is this something that they can truly accomplish with the resources they have available?
Timely - What is the timeline for completing this goal?
Encourage your child to not only set academic goals but to set goals that cover other aspects of their lives. Here are a variety of SMART goals that can help a student experience growth in different areas of their life.
Academic goals:
I will practice ordering the same denominator fractions for 15 minutes each weekday until my quiz.
I will pay attention to every English tutoring class.
Social goals:
I will invite someone new to play with my friends and me at recess this week.
Goals in relation to self-regulation/ routine:
I will wash my hands and empty my lunch bag as soon as I get home from school.
I will stay at my seat during lunch until the bell rings.
Throughout the school year, you can set aside time to check in with your child regarding their progress toward their various goals. Some goals will require frequent check-ins. Celebrate the progress they have made and determine if there needs to be any next steps to take. Be sure to discuss how far they have come. Celebrate the wins, big and small! Has the goal been achieved? If so, create a new goal. If not, discuss whether the goal needs to be adjusted.
Goal setting is a fundamental part of a growth mindset. Setting goals helps develop perseverance and an ability to self-reflect. Creating positive affirmations with your child, in relation to their goals, is a fantastic way to support your child’s development of a growth mindset. Using ‘SMART’ as a template for goal setting provides a clear guide along the path to success. Try it out throughout this upcoming school year and see if this approach will become a part of your child’s daily habits.
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