Goal setting for kids: Why it matters and how to make it fun
Setting achievable, fun goals can help kids build resilience and confidence.
One of the most effective things adults can do to rewire their brain for resilience is set achievable, fun goals, like learning to cook or taking up a new sport.
The same goes for kids, too.
Goal setting triggers the brain’s dopamine/reward system.
Dopamine is a ‘motivator’ hormone associated with pleasure, satisfaction, and reward. It motivates you to do things you enjoy that give you a pleasurable sense of achievement.
To provide dopamine boosts along the way, it helps to break goals into small achievable steps.
Also, fun is key.
The more a child enjoys working towards a goal, the more likely they will spend time on it and advance from one milestone to the next – creating a positive cycle of effort/reward.
Can you think of some goals kids can set just for fun?
Examples include painting, drawing, gaming, singing, dancing, and many other forms of creative play. From building a lego house to making shapes with play dough, there are lots of fun ways kids can trigger dopamine.
The idea is to find fun, creative ways for them to access that sense of achievement and pleasure – to help them cultivate a love of learning.
When kids tap into the dopamine/reward cycle, this helps to strengthen connections in their prefrontal cortex. The stronger their connections in this part of the brain, the better they are able to cope with stressful situations.
Goal setting tips for kids
Here are a few tips to help encourage kids to set goals.
Have fun.
Encourage the child to choose a goal they will genuinely enjoy achieving – like climbing to the next level on a playground or drawing their favourite cartoon for the first time.
Start small.
For kids to hook into the dopamine/reward cycle, they need some quick wins to get that sense of achievement.
Keep goals small to start – they can always aim for bigger goals once they have built up confidence.
Reduce pressure.
Try not to put pressure on a child to achieve a goal, even if it’s a fun one. The dopamine/reward cycle is more about the journey than the finish line.
You want the child to gain pleasure from the process of building a lego castle, not just from admiring the finished product.
Follow their lead.
Many kids have an inherent love of learning and will be naturally drawn to hobbies where goal setting is intrinsic.
Let them be your guide. Take a step back and cheer them on from the sidelines.
Goal setting works to build resilience with grown-ups too! Click here to learn more and get started.