Goal setting children can actually do
Big resolutions are hard for kids to picture. This worksheet breaks a goal into three easy questions: "My goal is to…", "This matters to me because…" and "Steps I will take". Then there's a row of ten stars to colour each time they work on it, which turns a vague wish into something they can see grow.
Helping children pick good goals
Good goals for children are small, specific and in their control. Some examples that work well:
- Read a chapter book by myself.
- Learn to tie my shoelaces.
- Practise piano for 10 minutes after school.
- Say something kind to my brother or sister every day.
Avoid goals that depend on luck or other people, like "win the race". Ask "How will you know you've done it?" and help them write the first step together.
In the classroom
The first week back in January is a perfect time for this worksheet. Read a story about trying something new, talk about goals as a class, then let each child fill in their own sheet. Pin them up and revisit them at the end of the month, when children colour stars for the progress they've made. It's also a good writing task: answering "because" builds reasoning sentences.
Print options
Choose one, two or three goals per page: one goal gives younger children the most writing space. The name line at the top keeps classroom sheets sorted. Switch to the grown-up style for teens or parents who want action steps, a progress bar and a deadline.