By: Allyson Mullins BCBA, COBA
 
It’s that time of year again when much of the world is thinking about the goals they want to work on in the upcoming year and making New Year’s resolutions. When working with kids, one of the most empowering skills you can teach them is how to set and achieve goals. Goals provide a sense of direction, purpose, and accomplishment. But for kids to truly embrace goal setting, they need guidance and structure. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help kids define, track, and achieve their goals effectively. 
 
Step 1: Operationally Define What a Goal Is 
Start by explaining what a goal is in simple, relatable terms. A goal is something you want to learn, get better at, or do more or less of. It’s important to use examples and non-examples that are relevant to kids to help them understand. For instance: 
Example: “I want to learn how to ride a bike.” 
Non-example: “I want to eat candy every day.” (While this sounds fun, explain that this isn’t a goal because it doesn’t help us grow or improve.) 
 
Step 2: Tie the Goal to a Bigger Why 
While the concept of “why” might feel abstract, parents can help provide direction in relatable terms and could be linked to cultural, religious/spiritual, or family values your child is already familiar with. For example, if a child wants to improve at basketball, their greater why might be, “I want to spend more time with my brothers by playing with them.” Connecting the goal to something meaningful gives it more significance and keeps the child motivated. If your child has several ideas for goals, figuring out the “why” behind each goal can help them prioritize what they want to focus on! 
 
Step 3: Make the Goal SMART 
A good goal is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound). You and your child should have a clear understanding of what the goal is, have some way to measure progress, ensure it is achievable for your child, and have a specific timeline of completion. Instead of saying, “I want to read more,” say, “I want to read one chapter book a month.” This clarity helps track progress and know when the goal is achieved. 
 
Step 4: Break It Down 
Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them into smaller, manageable steps so they are attainable. For example: 
Daily: Read 5-10 pages OR read for 10 minutes 
Weekly: Complete 3-4 chapters OR read for 1 hour and 10 minutes weekly 
Monthly: Finish one book. 
You may need to start on a smaller scale, especially if you are working on a new skill, and work up. For instance, in the reading example, start at 1-2 pages or 3 minutes of reading per day, and once that is achieved, increase the duration or number of pages per day. 
 
Encourage kids to identify when they’ll work on their goal and try to find opportunities for them to make progress daily so it becomes a part of their daily routine and makes it easier to be consistent, such as “after school/homework and before dinner.” 
 
Step 5: Create a Way to Track Progress 
Visual tracking tools like charts, graphs, or stickers can make progress tangible and exciting. For example, if the goal is to read a book a month, kids can track how many pages they read each day on a chart. Watching their progress grow provides motivation and a sense of achievement. 
 
Step 6: Reduce Barriers with Environmental Support 
Make it easier for kids to succeed by setting up their environment for success. Try to plan ahead for potential barriers that can derail progress. For example: 
Put a bottle of water on their nightstand to remind them to stay hydrated if the goal is to drink more water. 
Set an alarm to remind them it’s time to journal if the goal is to write more. 
Keep supplies (like books or craft materials) within easy reach. 
By reducing the response effort needed to get started, kids are more likely to follow through. 
  
In my own life, when I wanted to start incorporating more exercise into my daily routine, I began laying out my workout clothes the night before. Once I was dressed in my workout clothes, I didn’t have the extra task of changing my clothes after I was done with work for the day; I was all dressed and ready to exercise. In this way, I easily overcame any potential resistance and easily made exercise a seamless part of my routine. 
 
Step 7: Celebrate Successes 
Reinforcement is key, especially when a skill is new. Celebrate small milestones with rewards that are meaningful to the child, like: 
Praise: “I’m so proud of you for finishing your chapters this week!” 
Tangible rewards: Stickers, small prizes, or ice cream. 
Bigger rewards for larger milestones: A special outing or toy after finishing a monthly goal. 
The important thing is to find your child’s preferred items/activities and then monitor if providing these preferred items contingent on completing the tasks leads to engaging in the task more frequently.  
 
Over time, the activity itself can become rewarding, especially if it is linked to a bigger “why”, but in the beginning, reinforcement helps build momentum, especially for children. It takes a bit of maturity to appreciate intrinsic motivation, so providing that external reinforcement is crucial.  
 
Step 8: Problem-Solve Together 
If progress slows or the child struggles, focus on problem-solving your process or refining your goal. Ask questions like: 
“What do you think got in the way this week?” 
“How can we make it easier to stick to your plan?” 
Encourage your child to take ownership of their goal and brainstorm solutions, such as adjusting the daily steps or adding reminders. 
 
Step 9: Plan for Potential Challenges 
Anticipate possible obstacles from the start. For example, if a child has a busy schedule, plan shorter, more flexible steps. If there’s a busy season coming up, plan around it or set smaller goals for that week/month. Proactively addressing challenges makes success more likely. 
 
Example: A Reading Goal 
A child sets a goal to read one chapter book a month. Here’s how it might look: 
Define the Concrete Goal: “I want to read 12 chapter books this year.” 
Break It Down: Read 3-4 chapters a week, approximately 5-10 pages a day. 
Track Progress: Use a chart to mark off pages read daily. 
Environmental Support: Keep the book in their backpack or on their nightstand – someplace it’s easily accessible. Set a timer for reading time. 
Reinforce Success: Reward daily effort with stickers and weekly completion with a small treat. Celebrate monthly achievements with something bigger. 
Problem-Solve: If they miss a day, discuss how to catch up and adjust the plan if needed. 
 
By teaching kids how to set and achieve goals, you’re giving them a valuable life skill that builds confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment. And with the right support, goal setting can be fun and rewarding for everyone involved!  
 
Happy New Year’s resolution-setting. Here’s to a successful year for all!