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Another year has flown by, and what a year it has been. Parents and children have navigated the post-pandemic recovery together. Amidst the constant changes, have the plans set at the beginning of the year progressed smoothly? Are you ready to face the coming year with smiles and a positive attitude? The year's plans begin in spring, and spring is just around the corner. Seize this moment to reflect and plan!
Reflection is not about negation
As major websites conduct their annual reviews, parents might also consider undertaking a ‘major events review’ with their children in the new year. Together, examine the goals set at the beginning of last year: were they successfully implemented or left unfulfilled? Reviewing progress is about striving for improvement. Parents should avoid adopting a critical or reproachful attitude during these discussions, lest it undermine their child's confidence and motivation:
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Whether successes or failures, they are now part of the past. Parents should instead emphasise what was gained from the process and what aspects of their child's efforts deserve praise. Appropriate affirmation bolsters self-confidence, while sufficient involvement teaches them to take charge of their own life planning. These lessons in growth often prove more valuable than whether one or two specific goals were met.
Setting Goals for the Coming Year
Having reviewed the past, the next step is to envision the future. Helping children set realistic, achievable goals requires careful consideration. Let's approach this step by step!
Goal Realism
While goals can sometimes be wildly imaginative, overly vague or impossibly ambitious targets during serious annual planning will only sap motivation. Repeated failure to meet such goals risks turning goal-setting into a hollow formality. Parents may suggest children formulate objectives based on their social skills, emotional regulation, personal interests, etc., discussing feasibility with them. Goals needn't be grand, but should be clear and measurable, making progress more tangible:
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The concept of atomic habits has gained popularity in recent years. Atomic habits refer to setting goals starting from the immediate, the minutest details, thereby boosting motivation for execution. While each small goal may point towards a grand direction, when parents and children set goals together, it is advisable to focus first on incremental milestones. This enhances children's sense of achievement, reduces fatigue along the journey, and encourages them to persevere.
Goals are adaptable
When setting objectives, many children confidently make commitments. Yet life's journey is fraught with unexpected events, and even when parents co-create goals with their children, misjudgements can occur. At such times, parents must act promptly to review and adjust plans with their children, rather than allowing the scheme to fail. During reviews, reassure children that appropriate adjustments are a natural part of life. Setbacks are acceptable; immediate recalibration allows fresh starts. Crucially, emphasise learning opportunities: ‘What did we discover here?’ As consistently advocated, reviews serve affirmation and encouragement, not criticism or blame.
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As parents, we naturally wish our children to set goals with optimism and positivity in the new year, embarking on the year ahead with great ambition. Therefore, as they pursue these goals, parents must not only serve as navigators but also as cheerleaders, offering greater encouragement and support. Become your child's strongest pillar of support on their journey towards their dreams, fostering joyful and positive growth.
EdCity wishes everyone a Happy New Year and the fulfilment of your aspirations.