How To Set Goals For 2020 | SMART Goal Setting
January 29, 2020
Helping your child set SMART goals for 2020!
When it comes to helping your kids live happy, fulfilled lives, goal setting is an important tool that should never be overlooked. Your child should learn how to set goals because it can lead to several benefits. For starters, it becomes a habit for life. This empowers them to strive for more and figure out what they want out of life. They also develop a healthy, positive attitude when they realise that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Most importantly, they discover that they are responsible for their own learning and behaviour. So, if they want to achieve something, it’s ultimately up to them to make it happen.
If you’re ready to guide your child in setting goals for 2020, why not do it the SMART way? This is a method that yields wonderful results and works well for people of all ages. It will also help your child break down their goals in a logical way. Let’s get SMART and get goal setting.
S is for Specific
The truth is, you’ll never reach those goals if you aren’t specific about them. Get your child to write down exactly what they want to achieve. The key here is to be as detailed as possible. For example, instead of “I want to be in the school play” they should go one step further, “I want to play a lead part in the school play”.
M is for Measurable
When a goal is measurable, you’ll know if you’re getting closer to reaching it and when you’ve crossed the finish line. To make a goal measurable, you can help your child break this down into elements that will help them track their progress. For example, getting better Mathematics results should be tracked with every test so that your child can see their improvement in their marks.
A is for Attainable
This is one of the toughest parts of helping your child set their goals for a new year – making it attainable. If your child wants to get an A for Science but is currently sitting on a D, guide them towards a smaller improvement like moving up to a C or B in Science so that they aren’t discouraged.
R is for Relevant
Your child’s goals need to be relevant to them and something that they actually want. Often, kids try to please their parents, teachers or peers instead of making themselves proud. Your child is twice as likely to achieve the goals they set for themselves if they really want it for themselves.
T is for Timely
Another key part of reaching those goals is using a time frame. Deadlines can really motivate so try to break the goals up into terms to inspire your child to action. Be realistic though so as to not apply too much pressure. Should your child need a little extra time, tell them it’s okay.
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As the preliminary and final examinations approach, both students and parents or guardians often experience heightened anxiety and stress. This guide provides practical strategies to help parents and guardians support their children through this critical phase of their academic journey. 1. Foster Effective Organization Create an environment conducive to studying by providing a quiet, well-lit study space equipped with essential stationery. Collaborate with your child to develop a structured study timetable to set clear expectations and promote disciplined preparation. Encourage the use of resources such as past question papers, which serve as valuable tools for revision and practice. 2. Maintain Daily Check-Ins Schedule regular, intentional conversations, such as during dinner, to discuss your child’s progress. Inquire about their experience with the day’s examination paper, adherence to their study schedule, and their feelings about upcoming tests. These check-ins foster open communication and allow you to gauge their emotional and academic state. 3. Minimize Distractions Help your child stay focused by keeping electronic devices like phones, tablets, and gaming consoles out of reach during study sessions. Set boundaries on screen time and social media access to prevent procrastination. While challenging, limiting Wi-Fi access during study hours can significantly enhance productivity. 4. Support Emotional Awareness Encourage your child to identify and articulate their emotions, such as anxiety, stress, or fatigue . Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them effectively. Discuss coping strategies to help them navigate emotional challenges during this period. 5. Teach Self-Regulation Techniques Guide your child in practicing self-regulation to manage stress. Techniques include: Breathing Exercises : Inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and repeat. Sensory Focus : Identify five things they can see or hear to ground themselves in the moment. Tactile Stimulation : Hold a cold object to shift focus and reduce anxiety. These methods can help your child regain calm and focus during stressful moments. 6. Promote a Balanced Routine Prolonged study sessions late into the night can lead to burnout. Monitor your child’s study habits and encourage breaks to maintain balance. Plan activities such as outings with friends, a family meal, or short recreational periods with access to devices. Engaging in non-academic activities, like helping prepare dinner, can provide a refreshing change of focus. 7. Prioritize Self-Care Support your child’s well-being by ensuring they: Eat nutritious, regular meals. Get at least eight hours of sleep by limiting screen time before bed. Engage in physical activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, dancing, or gym workouts. These practices help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common during examination periods. 8. Practice Empathy and Patience The examination period can be emotionally taxing for both students and parents. Approach your child with empathy, actively listening and offering guidance without criticism. This fosters a supportive environment, bolstering their mental health and sense of inclusion. By implementing these strategies, parents and guardians can play a pivotal role in helping their children navigate the challenges of examinations with confidence and resilience. Good luck to all the Grade 12 students with the upcoming examinations - you most certainly can do it!
