Kids need to learn how to set long-term and short-term goals because it will help them throughout their lives and give them a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day. But unfortunately, setting goals is not a skill that comes naturally to children.
Children should practice setting goals because it helps them gain life skills that make it simpler to prepare for the future by taking a series of minor actions that result in rewarding outcomes.
Setting long-term and short-term goals have advantages for all age groups. When a child is old enough to handle basic chores, like picking up her toys, that is an excellent time to start teaching them how to set goals.
How Do You Teach Your Child to Set Long-term and Short-term Goals?
1. Provide Support to Your Child
Children gain a sense of the future when you assist them in setting long-term and short-term goals. Goal setting provides a positive focus that will motivate you to make better decisions, whether you want to save your allowance to purchase a new toy, get higher grades, or attend a friend’s birthday party.
With this strategy, the child is encouraged to consider potential actions or behaviors that could move her toward or further away from her goal. You, as a parent, can support your child’s development of this focus.
For instance, if your child wants to improve his marks in her science class, have him brainstorm various strategies and write them down. Then, assist him with his homework and provide your full support in helping the child achieve his goals.
2. Set a purpose for it.
Setting long-term and short-term goals enable young people to define their ideal life and motivates them to press on despite obstacles. A child gains a sense of purpose when she learns to create goals.
Children who feel they have a purpose in life are usually more self-assured. You can improve a child’s feeling of purpose by assisting a child in creating many age-appropriate goals for themselves. It is also advisable to help your child set time-bound financial, academic, personal, and athletic/fitness goals.
3. Relevant Motivation
Young people are motivated by goals when they are clear, attainable, and quantifiable. Children who strive toward the goals they establish for themselves are more driven to complete the plan because they see or directly experience the advantages of their efforts. Children are most motivated by personal, relevant goals.
4. Let your child decide on their own goals.
Let them choose their goals and discuss why they want to take that step. The goal’s aim must be clear to the child for them to be adequately motivated to see it through. The child must resolve this independently, without an adult’s help. In this manner, the child can understand the purpose.
Your responsibility as a parent is to provide support and direction. This includes ensuring that the aim is SMART. For example, if an objective meets these criteria:
Specific – The child must be extremely clear about their goals.
Measurable – It’s essential to track when and even how the goal has been achieved.
Achievable – Is the goal possible to achieve?
Result-oriented – What purpose does the goal seek to serve?
Time-bound – The child must specify the time frame in which they plan to accomplish their objective. This period ought to be realistic.
5. Develop Accountability and Self-confidence
Setting long-term and short-term goals help children develop a sense of responsibility for their actions. As a result of having successful goal-setting experiences, a child develops a greater sense of responsibility and a better understanding of his capabilities.
When a goal is not attained, a child with strong self-efficacy is less likely to view it as a failure. Instead, she most likely blames ineffective efforts for the outcome.
Conclusion
For children to set long-term and short-term goals with the help of their parents, they should first identify what they want to achieve. They should also break down their goals into smaller, more manageable steps and create a plan with smaller goals to stay on track with their progress. Parents should also be sure to tell their kids what it will take for them to achieve their goals.