If there is one thing that every kid should learn, its the importance of setting goals. Research indicates that children whose parents teach them the benefits of goal setting experience above average academic and professional careers. From short term objectives to lifelong ambitions, it is never too early to start setting goals.
Short Term and Long Term Goal Setting
There are two types of goals: immediate and long term. In order for kids to believe in the achievement of a long term goal, he or she must have experience realizing short term goals. That is why it is so important for parents to help their children establish and attain small goals. Targets such as getting a good grate on a spelling test and/or going one week without being late to school are excellent places to start.
Just as important as short term goals are short term rewards. Quite often, the mere accomplishment of a goal is not enough; kids need a little incentive. This is perfectly understandable. I have always found it unreasonable to expect kids to be happy simply by doing a good job. After all, when was the last time you told your employer that your exemplary job at work was worth more to you than a paycheck? Now, this is not to say that we should bribe our children, but merely that we should be realistic.
This is especially true of goals that we set for our children. A clean room, for instance, is of far greater importance to parents than it is to children. Once again, I am not saying that child should be compensated for doing what he/she is told. Rather, a weeks worth of keeping ones room clean without constant reminders is definitely worth something. And by reaching such short term goals, your child will learn the benefit of long term achievements.
