How to Set SMART Goals for Kids With Examples

Looking for some good goals for kids to set? What is an example of SMART goals for kids?

As adults, we know how important goal-setting is. Setting SMART goals gives us the toolbox important to not only identify and put into words what we want or need, but it gives us the roadmap to actually get there.

For some people, this process comes more naturally, while for others, setting a smart enough goal to be just out of reach yet still attainable is something they struggle to get the hang of. A lot of this is due to a lack of practice. After all, setting SMART goals is a skill, a skill that you’re never too young to obtain.

By getting your children into the habit of setting goals using the SMART parameter, you’re giving them a powerful skill for life. You can even turn this process into a regular program at home or in the classroom, where goal-setting becomes a fun and engaging part of their routine.

Let’s see why goal-setting is beneficial for your children or your students, how to make setting these goals fun and engaging for them, and some examples you can implement with your kids.

How to Set SMART Goals for Kids With Examples

What is a SMART Goal?

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, a SMART goal is a specific type of goal that follows a set of parameters to ensure we’re not only making the best goal possible for ourselves but we’re also giving ourselves the roadmap to directly get there.

A majority of failed goals are because people didn’t take the time to make them as specific as possible. These parameters are what will take your goal from being a lofty dream to something you can actually get in your near future.

SMART is an acronym that means:

Specific, so we know exactly what success looks like.
Measurable, so we have data or numbers to track our progress.
Achievable, so it’s challenging yet possible.
Relevant, so it makes sense and is something within our wheelhouse.
Time-bound, so we have a deadline to hold us accountable.

To make a goal SMART, we want to ensure that each of our goals includes these 5 parameters.

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“I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dreams!” — David Vitter

Why is Goal-Setting Beneficial to Your Kids?

It’s easy to assume that goal-setting is a skill best reserved for adults but, really, it’s never too early to dream big and take the steps necessary to get what you want. After all, that’s what a SMART goal is: an attainable dream.

Kids might not be excited when you start talking about SMART goals but when you talk to them about their dreams, they’re all ears. Teaching kids to think big and then learning how to alter that thinking into achievable steps, that’s giving them the key to a lifetime of success.

A few other benefits of setting SMART goals for kids include:

Showing them that with some hard work and focus, they can achieve what they set out to.
Teaching them how to overcome obstacles and improve or shape their near future.
Providing them with the details to stay on track and keep motivated.
Instilling a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset.
Giving them the power and independence to decide what they want to achieve, not what you want them to achieve.

How Do You Make Goal-Setting Fun for Kids?

The why behind goal-setting is really for the parents but the how should be for your children.

After all, to really teach them the power of effective goals, they need to be ones that they’ve set for themselves. In the beginning, they’ll certainly need more guidance but as they mature and have plenty of practice with SMART goal setting, they’ll be able to take over and become more independent in this process.

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“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.” — Anonymous

The key to all of this though is getting them to want to set their own goals. If this is something that’s forced upon them, they most likely won’t take it seriously or have the drive to actually achieve their goals. On the other hand, if they feel as though they are goals they’ve chosen for themselves, they’ll be much more motivated to see them through.

The best way to do this? Make the goal-setting process fun!

Use These Tips to Make Goal-Setting Fun for Your Kids:

Do the brainstorming process together. Do it over a cone of ice cream, while playing basketball and writing them down with chalk, or with a large piece of paper and plenty of art supplies. Tailor this to your child’s personality but whichever route you go, make the brainstorming process a fun bonding experience for you both. With you being present, you can help them stay on track with a goal that’s SMART.

Make sure the time-bound aspect of the goal is relatively short, especially on your child’s first few goals. Start small so they can get some confidence under their belt and see some successes before launching into a larger goal.

Flip it so they help you make goals for yourself so it becomes something you both do together and can hold each other accountable for. This will teach kids that setting goals is a lifelong habit.

Once you have your goal(s) selected, have your child write them in their own way. Whether it be on a colored poster, with pictures to go along with it, or on a sticky note in their bathroom, let them choose how they want to keep their goal front of mind.

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“I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.” — Harry S. Truman

Give small rewards to celebrate micro milestones along the way. Use a calendar to visualize the time-bound aspect of the goal.

Always focus on positive reinforcement for staying on track instead of punishment for getting off track.

If your child doesn’t achieve their goal or gets off track, openly talk together about why they think that happened and how they can alter their goals in the future to be more attainable.

15 Examples of SMART Goals for Kids

If you and your child need some help getting the ideas flowing, let these SMART goals examples guide the way.

These goals are divided by age group and fit into a variety of categories, with goals for the school year, goals at home, goals for sports or an active lifestyle, and goals for socialization. By implementing a variety of goals, you’ll help your kids learn the importance of a balanced lifestyle and how to make habits that will hopefully stick for life.

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“Children are like wet cement whatever falls on them makes an impression.” — Haim Ginott

Goals Examples for Kids Aged 3-6

Goal Example #1: Sports

I will learn to ride my bike without training wheels by my 5th birthday. I will practice 3 days a week with a parent present until I’m successfully able to ride up and down my driveway without my training wheels or parents for balance.

Goal Example #2: School

I will learn my ABCs before my first day of kindergarten. I will learn to not only say the ABCs but also to identify the letters and match the lower case letters with the upper case letters. I will practice with my letter blocks for 10 minutes every day until I can do this on my own.

Goal Example #3: School

By the end of 1st grade, I will be able to read my own goodnight stories. I will be able to sound out new words in books that are on a 1st-grade level.

Goal Example #4: Socialization

Before I turn 6, I will go on my first sleepover at a friend’s house. To prepare for my big night out, I’ll start spending more time at friends’ houses and getting the confidence to be away from my parents for an entire night.

Goal Example #5: At Home

By the time I’m 4 years old, I’ll help my parents with a small chore. I’ll put away my own toys each night and will get a sticker on my sticker chart each time I do this. At the end of each week, if I have most of my stickers, I’ll get a small reward.

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“The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation.” — Ray L. Wilbur

Goals Examples for Kids Aged 6-9

Goal Example #6: School

In 3rd grade, I’ll reach my Accelerated Reader (AR) goal set by my teacher. I’ll read each night in bed for 20 minutes to ensure I reach my goal AR points. I’ll choose a variety of books that interest me so I learn that reading is a fun hobby.

Goal Example #7: At Home

I’ll choose a weekly chore that I can complete without being told to do so. The chore I choose will come from a list of options provided by my mom or dad and something that I can do without needing her or his assistance to complete. I’ll do this chore each week for 1 month before choosing a new chore for the next month.

Goal Example #8: Sports

Each season, I’ll sign up for a new team sport. This way, I’ll get to try a variety of sports to see which one I enjoy the most. I’ll choose from a diverse list of sports from ballet, swimming, soccer, volleyball, and everything in between to find something that’s really a lot of fun for me. I’ll complete each season of the sport before moving to the next one.

Goal Example #9: Socialization

When I’m 9 years old, I’ll invite 1 new friend over each month to grow my social group. I’ll choose a variety of people, from classmates to those on my sports team, to introduce myself to a wide group of people and learn to get along with diverse personalities.

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“While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about.” — Angela Schwindt

Goal Examples for Kids Aged 10-12

Goal Example #10: At Home

By my 12th birthday, I’ll learn the basic chords on the guitar and be able to play 2 songs on my own. I’ll achieve this by going to weekly guitar practice after school for 3 months and by practicing 2 times a week at home on my own.

Goal Example #11: At Home

One time a week during 5th grade, I will make my own breakfast before school. This will give my mom or my dad a break and teach me to get myself ready in the morning.

Goal Example #12: At School

Each day at school, I will raise my hand and participate in class at least one time. This will give me the confidence to overcome my social anxiety and speak in front of my peers.

Goal Example #13: At School

I will practice my typing skills to achieve 30 words per minute by the time I turn 13. This will set me up for success in middle school and help me to do my online homework at a faster pace. I will achieve this by playing a typing computer game 3 times a week at home after school.

Goal Example #14: Socialization

Every other month, I will host an afterschool activity with 10 of my friends. Each time, the activity will be something different and something I can organize on my own, with minimal help from my parents. This will give my friends and me some extra socialization time outside of school.

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“The best way to make children good is to make them happy.” — Oscar Wilde

Goal Example #15: Sports

After trying out a variety of sports when I was younger, when I turn 10, I will choose which sport I want to try out for the school or club team. This will be the sport I enjoy the most. I will practice 3 times a week to improve my skills at this sport, either at our official practices or at home on my own time.

You’re Ready to Set SMART Goals With Your Kids

Setting goals is a lifelong skill that will serve your children, even if they can’t quite see the benefits now.

SMART Goals Worksheet

Ready to start setting SMART goals for kids? Sign up below to get your FREE SMART Goals Worksheet, form-fillable, and printable, and includes more examples to help you.

Although it’s important to work together to set their goals so you can guide them into making them SMART, by putting the power in their hands and making it fun for you both, you’re likely to get them excited about their goals and eager to accomplish them.

Kids already dream big so it’s simply your job to harness their dreams and turn them into achievable SMART goals. Now’s the time to teach them!

LNeed help with goal setting for kids? Looking for some good SMART goals for children? Click here for how to teach your children how to set goals. #GoalSetting #SMARTGoals #Parenting #LifeLessons

Ready to set SMART goals for kids with your children?

Last Updated on August 20, 2024