Goal!

The New Year is here! To many this is the time to reboot the system, recharge the battery and strive ahead into another brand new year. A brand new year means brand new resolutions and goals. People who succeed are the people with goals. And this applies to kids as well regardless of their age. Kids and teens who have goals will always do better than those with no plans at all. Teaching kids and teens goal setting is important. It gives them the sense of direction and serves as a validation of their abilities.

Kid’s goals are obviously different from an adult’s. Their goals may change as they are exposed to more enriching experiences and as they discover more of their innate abilities.

For younger children, setting short term goals where immediate results can be seen are more important than setting long term goals that take years to achieve. Positive reinforcements from those guiding them play a huge role in motivating young children to strive ahead and to set more goals for themselves.

Goal setting can help kids in skills development. As they plan and execute their plans, it gives them opportunities to use their pre-acquired skills to support their plans. The processes of goal setting also serve as a tool for them to match their ‘dreams’ with reality.

We can encourage goal setting for kids by:

Taking interest in their daily activities

Take interest in their school assignments, activities, and have discussions with them about what they did and learned in school. Kids feel happy when we show genuine interest in their work without being judgemental.

Communicate and help them set a goal

A child’s goal, however small it may sound to us, is never too small for the child. Lending an ear is always appreciated when a child has a plan to share. Take time to find out what they would like to achieve and understand why the goal is important to them. Praise them for taking initiatives in setting a goal!

Brainstorm about the activities

The brainstorming session is essential as it acts as a way for us to ensure that the child is on the right path. Additionally it also serves as a bonding session between parents and their children. Take caution not to impose or force your ideas on your child as this may create an adverse effect! The child may end up feeling that they are being controlled.

Follow up

Monitor your child’s action and progress from time to time. Your child may forget about the goal setting activities. Follow up regularly to instil an understanding in them that they need to take action in order to achieve their goals (yet being careful not to be a nag!). If the child encounters obstacles, brainstorm for ways to overcome these obstacles.

Praise

Praise your child for all effort and initiatives. Give your child positive feedback as an encouragement to continue working on goal setting.

Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose):

Stand with feet about 3 feet apart. Raise your arms to shoulder level, and stretch them out parallel to the floor. Palms facing down.
With your head facing towards the right, rotate the right foot so its toes are pointed to the right.
Exhale and bend the right knee so that it is aligned over the right ankle. Keep the left leg straight with the left heel pressing firmly into the floor. Keep the body upright. Breathe regularly while holding this position for 5 counts
Inhale to come up and repeat on the other side.

Benefits:

Increases stamina
Strengthens and stretches the legs and ankles
Builds concentration

Akarna Dhanurasana (Bow and Arrow Pose)

Method:

Stand with feet about 3 feet apart.
With face turned to the right side, rotate the right foot out so its toes are pointed to the right.
Clench the right fist and raise the arm in front of the body so that it is over the right foot. Clench the left fist and bring it slightly behind the right fist.
Inhale and slowly pull the left fist back to the left ear, tensing both arms as if drawing the bow. Feel a stretch across your chest and in your armpit.
Gaze at the tip of the right thumb (or beyond at an imaginary target).
Exhale and release the imaginary arrow and bring the left fist forward to the right fist.
Repeat on the other side.

Optional: Create a target board with your child’s goal written on it. Aim and ‘release’ the arrow at the goal target.