By Maureen Nakatudde

When the New Year starts, adults hype about their new year resolutions, without minding about their little ones. They pick up their notebooks and behave as if goal-setting was the most heavenly thing to do, forgetting that at whatever stage, their children, too, need to set goals.

Most successful people like Ben Carson, the first neurosurgeon to separate Siamese twins, were taught to set goals right from an early age. Carson’s mother, Sonya Carson, encouraged him to read books and summarise them every day.

Henceforth, his grades improved to the extent that he was the best in class. All that happened because he had a mother who was there for him. Parents who wish their children to succeed need to teach them how to set goals.

With setting goals, Jaffe Sentongo, a parent and head teacher of White Angels Primary School in Namasuba, says ambition is birthed. And, when the child is ambitious, he is likely to succeed. Even when they fail, children with set goals would have learnt something out of their endeavours, unlike those who did not.

Besides, setting goals will enable your child to remain focused. Siraje Kabuye, a head teacher in Matugga, says it is the responsibility of a parent to bring up a focused child. Goal-setting helps the child to keep his eyes at the end results, thus keeping him focused. For instance, if you want your child to be among the top five in school, the child will always be aware of what he or she should do.

Goal-setting helps children understand that they are responsible for who they turn out to be, if they follow their dreams.

“Basically, the goals shape children’s lives,” says George Opiro, a commissioner in charge of guidance and counselling at the education ministry.

Do you have a disorganised child? Sometimes when parents fail to help their children set goals, they may turn out disorderly. Encourage your child to lay his bed, put all his books in the bag and everything they will need before the actual day.

This will teach them to be organised. When you have inculcated such a goal in your child, be sure they will stick to it. And, with better organisation, success follows.

When helping children to set goals, you should be realistic. Opiro says: “Do not set goals that are way beyond their level of development and understanding, although sometimes it is advisable to stretch them to enable their minds to grow.”

Opiro warns that setting unattainable goals for children makes them hate goal-setting, which can be detrimental.

You can also teach your children goal-setting in terms of money. Most adults are unhappy because they have poor money management skills. You can teach your children how to save. If it is something they want to achieve for a long time, they can buy it with a little saving.

This will keep their eyes fixed on the prize. Whether they have got adequate funds for the thing they want or not, it will teach them something about persistence and saving. 

What about health? Today, some children are obese, just because their parents made poor choices for them. You can set goals for your children to keep healthy.

Nowadays, diseases like diabetes are affecting children right from an early age. You can help your children to keep healthy by encouraging them to eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, instead of fast foods.

Setting goals will help your child develop a positive attitude right from an early age. Instead of shying away from school activities or tasks, the child will develop an I can-do-it attitude and this will help him make it big in life.

You can also help your children learn to visualise their achievements. For instance, let them visualise how they will feel when they have topped the class. Visualisation makes children feel and almost touch their dreams. This will help their subconscious mind desire to achieve what is in their hearts.

However, it is important to note that some goals may be hard to achieve due to some unavoidable circumstances. Opiro advises parents to encourage their children to be persistent when things do not work out and to always remember that persistence wins.

Also, remember to reward your child when they achieve their goals. This will give them more impetus to set new goals and also fulfill them.

setting goals
Guide them to choose goals of their interest

Set manageable goals

Set a time limit for them

Give them tools to help them achieve their goals.

Review the goals each time the deadline comes.