Teaching kids how to set and follow their goals is extremely beneficial to achieving success, boosting confidence, and staying motivated. It also teaches them responsibility and problem-solving skills. SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) equip children with a clear framework for goal-setting that enhances their ability to plan and execute their dreams. Here's how you can guide your kids on setting SMART goals for themselves to make their aspirations a reality.
Specific
The first acronym "Specific" refers to the importance of defining the goal and how it will be achieved. The more specific the goal is, the easier it will be to focus and accomplish it. For example, your child might say that their goal is to eat healthier or improve their grades. But, those are vague goals. Instead, talk to your kid about specific goals around their health or grades that they can set. This could be "My goal is to eat a well-balanced diet of whole foods with protein, complex carbs, healthy fat, and fruits and vegetables." Or, "My goal is to bring my grades up from Cs to As." These are specific goals that your child can set out to achieve.
Measurable
Your child's goals should also be something that can be measured. This means determining when the goal has been reached and the data that will be used to measure the goal and track its progress. For example, if your child's goal is to improve their health through a well-balanced diet plan, have them set numbers of the different food groups they plan to consume on a daily basis such as 5 fruits and vegetables, 2 glasses of milk, and 3 servings of whole grains. Another example, if their goal is to improve their grades, is setting the number of hours they plan to study each day after school or a number of chapters in a book they plan to read each week.
Achievable
Achievable means making the goal realistic. That doesn't mean it can't be challenging, but it should be something that your child believes they can accomplish with the right steps in place. For example, your child might aspire to become a competitive synchronized swimmer but has never taken beginner swimming lessons before. In that case, it would be more realistic to first achieve basic swimming skills before moving on to more advanced techniques. Concentrating on this smaller goal first will be less overwhelming and help keep your child on track for their bigger or long-term goals. Smaller steps that get accomplished on the way to a bigger goal also provides positive reinforcement of progress toward the ultimate goal.
Relevant
The goal your child sets needs to feel relevant to them. Understanding why they're seeking to accomplish a goal will keep them motivated and engaged in their activities to accomplish each step in the process. Your child's goal might be to bring their grades and test scores up because they're trying to get accepted into a specific college to pursue their dream career. Keeping that ultimate dream in mind will help get your child through each individual step in achieving the grades they need, even if some of the tasks feel boring.
Time-bound
Lastly, it's important for your child to set a timeline of when they expect to achieve their goal. Encourage them to write down each step of the process and when they expect to complete each one. They can map out the timeline using their calendar. For example, if their goal is to obtain straight A's in math, they might decide that they will finish reviewing fractions by September 20th or complete a practice test on algebra by September 30th.
Using the SMART framework in the goal-setting process will help your child develop a clear path to success and gain valuable life skills. It will also provide them with structure and discipline to prioritize responsibilities and manage their time.