How can I make a great SMART goal for kids?
From trying out a book reading challenge to setting “stretch” goals with your children, here are 4 answers to the question, “What is one tip for making a great SMART goal for kids?”
- A Book Reading Challenge
- Involve Kids in the Process of Creating Smart Goals
- Don’t Set the Bar Too High
- Set a “Stretch” Goal to Challenge and Motivate
A Book Reading Challenge
One of the things that plagues modern society is that people don’t read as much as they used to. Children prefer quick and cheap entertainment to reading books. That’s why, if you’re looking for a SMART goal for your kids, why not give them the challenge of reading a certain amount of books in a year? They’re kids, so you should include some form of reward, but there’s a significant chance the whole process itself will be a reward in itself.
Natalia Brzezinska, Marketing and Outreach Manager, PhotoAiD
Involve Kids in the Process of Creating Smart Goals
One tip that helps create a smart goal fit for children is one that they are engaged in. Asking what goals they would like to achieve, or even brainstorming ideas, is a great way for kids to be involved with the decision-making. This also promotes inclusivity, as well as encourages self-motivation to complete the task at hand more so than if they were not a part of the process.
Lyudmyla Dobrynina, Head of Marketing, Optimeal
Don’t Set the Bar Too High
One great tip for making a smart goal for kids is to make sure that it is achievable. Often, parents and educators try to set children up for success by giving them goals that are too lofty or difficult to achieve. This can end up frustrating the child and leading to a lack of motivation. Instead, try setting goals that are challenging yet still achievable with effort. This will help instill a sense of accomplishment in the child and encourage them to continue setting and reaching higher goals.
Sarah Gibson, Director, Proactive Healthcare
Set a “Stretch” Goal to Challenge and Motivate
To truly inspire and engage kids, it’s important to set a “stretch” goal – a goal that is ambitious and requires the child to push themselves out of their comfort zone. For example, if a child is shy and struggles with public speaking, a stretch goal would be to give a presentation in front of their class.
By setting a stretch goal, the child will be challenged to work on their public speaking skills and become more confident in front of an audience. Additionally, the child may be more motivated to work towards this goal as it is more challenging than a more easily attainable goal. It’s important to note that a stretch goal should still be realistic and achievable with hard work and determination.
The child should also be encouraged and given the necessary tools to achieve this stretch goal. Setting a stretch goal can also be a great way to teach kids about grit and perseverance, which are important life skills.
Basana Saha, Founder and Editor, KidsCareIdeas
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