22. Your child needs goals to go ahead

 

Ishaan was very sad on coming back from the school. On being asked the reason, he told his mother that he came last in the practice race for the Sports Day. All his friends made fun of him. His mother consoled and encouraged him to find out the reason. Ishaan thought over it and concluded that he had participated in the race without any determination or plans. His mother told him, “Work hard for the Sports Day. Your target is first prize.” Ishaan made up his mind and wrote on a piece of paper “I will win the first prize on the Sports Day.” He began practicing for it. Every day he noted his time and made it a point to improve upon it. His mother gave him healthy diet. He pinned the paper on the front wall and kept looking at it. It firmed up his resolve. On the Sports Day, he did not have any doubt in his mind. He ran with all his might and was the first to reach the winning line. All his friends cheered him up. He realized the importance of setting goals and following it.

Well, this tells the importance of having a goal in our lives. Life becomes a rudderless boat without goal. They help us set the path for moving forward and guide the person to chart a proper course for achieving success.

What is a GOAL?

Goal or aim is the destination where we want to reach. We cannot even make travel plans; leave aside the practical travelling, unless the destination is clear in mind. If knowing the destination is so important even for a single travel plan; one can imagine its importance in the journey of life.

Goals for kids

The story given in beginning of this article is about a very simple race but believe me, the times are tough and the future is going to be even tougher for our kids. They will have to run many races, face multifarious challenges and pass through a series of examinations. They have to set up goals in life and develop goal-setting competencies. Sooner they start, better they would be placed.

These goals cannot be accomplished until these are split into smaller and still smaller ones. It can be done on the time basis i.e. yearly to monthly to weekly to daily basis or any other basis as per the suitability. All it requires is its strict follow up and execution.

Modus operandi

Goal Sheets- The children need to have goal sheets with mention of various targets in a clear cut manner. For example-Weekly goal sheet:

Date	Week Day	Target	Achievement
6th July	Monday	Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the next day	Done
7th July	Tuesday	Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the next day	Done
8th July	Wednesday	Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the next day	Done
9th July	Thursday	Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the next day	Done
10th July	Friday	Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the next day	Done
11th July	Saturday	Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the next day	Done
12th July	Sunday	Revision of the previous week’s work; preparation of the next week’s schedule; Preparation for the next day; Study as per class schedule	Done
Review for the week + Preparation for the tests or examinations

Monitoring- Monitoring of the goals achieved or left, is very important. It would require revision as per the requirement. Sometimes, the child may fall sick and something may be left out. That needs to be added to the next week. Sometimes, tests or examinations may require extra preparation. However, it must be ensured that at no point targets are left alone i.e. not monitored. From weekly these may be translated on the monthly and annual basis for effective results.

Goal reminders- Children associate with visuals easily. Tower blocks can be drawn up for them. Target tower is drawn completely. Just adjacent to it, accomplishment tower can be drawn block-by-block as per the target achieved. For example, English tower has 8 blocks as per the number of lessons. Now, in the accomplishment tower, one block after the other is drawn after finishing each lesson.

Celebrating success-

Children enjoy celebrations. It can be a small scoop of Ice-cream or a chocolate. Do celebrate their accomplishing the targets. It would give them the impetus to continue making and adhering to the targets.

Conclusion

Goal-setting and execution should become a life-long habit with them. It would equip them professionally and help in their jobs, profession or business. It is very important to let them develop competency to set up their tangible goals and follow. Once it is followed regularly, it will become their second nature and success is bound to follow them at every step of the life.

#Goals #GoalsForChildren #GoalsForStudents #ImportanceOfGoalsInLife

 

R. C. Verma

The author has mentioned the importance of having goals in life. It is particularly true for the children who have to face challenges in future. Please post your views. My mail id: vermarajesh55@gmail.com

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