make potential mistakes, learn from their mistakes, set a new plan of action and continue to move closer to their desired goals. By teaching children to communicate their thoughts, ideas and feeling they can begin to discuss their ideas and perhaps seek advice
or guidance from those around them. Through collaborative thinking and sharing, children can further develop their goal setting skills with more precision and intention. These skills will hopefully allow them to gain more self-esteem not only
by effectively determining ways to achieve success in a desired area of their lives but to also reach their goals! With more confidence and practice, paired with continued support and encouragement, the goal is for them to continue to tackle more
Tools and Strategies complex goals later in life.
Story Mapping: 5W’s and H By using a story-mapping model, children can organize their thinking around the goals that they want to achieve and how they will achieve them. Discussion is key: Asking questioning, providing examples and positive reinforcement is essential to generating relevant ideas and choosing a goal that is both meaningful and beneficial to the child’s personal development. Older children can write and include images (e.g. drawings, symbols) and younger children can simply draw their ideas Sample story map sequence: 1. What is the goal? What steps will be taken to achieve the goal? (be specific)
visually represent a goal. Vision Boards include words and images (e.g., photos, drawings) and can reflect a series of goals that relate to a common theme (e.g., school, friendship). It is important that they be visible daily (hung in your child’s room or on the fridge). It is also a great way to see your child’s thinking and ask questions, determine ways in which you can support your child or perhaps friends or siblings may recognize an opportunity to help! Making a vision board is a fun way for your child to “build” their goals. With family day around the corner, perhaps building a family vision board might be a great place to start!
Start with a Story
Vision Boards
Todd Parr is an inspirational author who writes simply and clearly. His books get to the heart of complex topics with precise language and easy to understand images. Start your discussion around goals and taking risks with your child using Parr’s book It’s Okay to Make Mistakes. This story embraces everyday mistakes that can lead to a deeper understanding of self. This is a great story for encouraging children to live with a free and open heart and continue to explore and learn along the way.
Vision boards are used to help
For more proficient readers and
2. Why is the goal important to the child? How will it make them feel? 3. Who will suppor t them in achieving their goal? How will they do this? 4. When will the child work on this goal? 5. Where will they work on their goal? 6. How will the child know that they have met thei
mature children, Unstoppable Me! 10 Ways to Soar Through Life, is an inspiring and empowering picture book written by the late Dr. Wayne Dyer. This uplifting and empowering book teaches children how to strive to be their best. Like Parr, Dr. Dyer’s message is powerful yet simple: By striving to be the best version of yourself, you can find what truly speaks to your heart in the pursuit of authentic happiness. He also encourages children to stand out from the crowd and understand who they truly are. Each of the 10 lessons outlined in the book also includes examples of goals and implementation ideas and relevant examples. The questions at the end of the book are a great way to delve into deeper discussion! Sharon Draper’s novel, Out of My Mind, is a story of a brilliant girl who cannot speak or write. Anyone who reads this book will begin to appreciate that brilliance and bravery looks and feels different for different people, and that striving for our personal best is a part of what makes us human. This is a great novel for teens and mature readers looking for some heartfelt inspiration. All books available on www.amazon.ca
Bavan Arora is lifelong learner, explorer, educator, author and lover of all things strange, unique, and beautiful. 39