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What's in a Goal? - Activities for You and Your Child

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1) Discuss the following ideas with your child:

a) What does the word "direction" mean? When is "direction" important? What is the difference between a dandelion seed and a homing pigeon? Do you think that some people have more "direction" than others do? Is this because they have goals?

b) What does the word "goal" mean? What is a homing pigeon's "goal"? Do you know any people who have important "goals"? What do you think your teacher's "goal" is?

2) Give your child a maze like the one below

MAZE: Find the Ice cream!

Time him to see how long it takes to do. Remember to make this into a game! How did your child complete the maze? If he started in the middle and worked his way outwards, congratulate him! If he started at each door in turn until he found the route to the center, explain that there is a quicker way, by starting at the final destination.

Next, discuss the analogy between the maze and people's lives. Suggest that people, who start by thinking of their final goal, then work backwards to see how they can accomplish it, achieve more than people who don't set specific goals.

3) Talk to your child about his short-term and long-term goals. Try to learn what is most important to him. Does he think only of today, or does he consider possibilities that lie a week, a month or a year in the future? Is he excited by things that he could do when he grows up, or is he, like many children, not really able to imagine things that far into the future?

Bear in mind that the reason for this discussion is for you to be able to understand better what motivates your child. This is not an examination, and there are no right or wrong attitudes - it is merely an exercise in whether your child thinks mainly in the short-term, mainly in the long-term, or both. When you understand his way of thinking, you will be better able to help him motivate himself to take action.

4) (For older children)

a) Parent: Write down as many reasons as possible for why you want your child to go to school. Next, write down as many reasons as possible for why you think your child wants to go to school.

b) Child: Write down as many reasons as possible for why you go to school. Next, write down as many reasons as possible for why you think your parents want you to go to school.

c) Compare your results and discuss the differences and similarities. This should be enjoyable, not a chore! Make it into a fun game - you and your child will both enjoy getting to know each other better!