JUST FOR KIDS
Mindfulness moments
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s there something you hope to achieve, create, or learn? Set a goal, make a plan, and get to it! For some, setting goals and following through are easy. For others, even getting started seems difficult. Here are three guides to setting, moving forward with, and achieving your goals no matter what they are. Let’s get started together!
1. THE PLAN
• Steps make the path easier to see. Think of what you need to do first, second, and so on.
• Your plan can be in words, pictures, or even a video of what you need to do step by step.
2. RESOURCES
• These can be anything from a pencil for ideas, to expert advice, to people encouraging you!
3. CHECK IN
Reach for the sky with a goal-setting plan
Micah Hiley is a fifth-grade student at Cobbles Elementary School. His goal is to make his town’s all-star baseball team. When asked why, Micah is quick to answer that he would love to represent his town as a standout in his favorite sport and it would be cool, too. Micah has been a player on the all-star two times before but says to make the team again he needs to be mentally, physically, and socially ready for the challenge. He knows that at any point others can show that they too are ready to be on the team. He has a plan! Mentally, Micah says he plans to wake up ready to play every day—even when he’s tired. Physically, he’s taking on a more specific goal of becoming a stronger hitter by practicing drills his coaches have given him. His social goal is to be a good teammate, respect the coaches, and have friends around him. Micah ends by stating that working on these smaller goals will help him to achieve his big goal of making the team. He’s got a dream and a plan!
Two goals! MaKayla Jones, a fourth-grade student at Rochester Prep, shares two goals with me. First, her school-related goal, is to get more math problems correct at school. Her plan: every day after school she will ask her family to create ten or eleven math problems to solve and explain if necessary. At school her teacher will be her resource, rereading problems to her so that she can better understand the problem. MaKayla’s second goal is to complete a backflip. She’s already mastered a front flip using Youtube videos to show her the way. Her plan: watch instructional videos, practice, and try them out first on her father’s trampoline. MaKayla says if she needs help, her dad can hold her back and flip her around. Makayla is well on her way to achieving both of her goals with a plan in place.
Photos provided by author
Play ball!
Spring 2022 | 585kids.com
Can you try a smaller step? Find someone you trust to help you get moving again.
Let’s check in with some goal setters in the 585! Learn how they are setting and moving toward their dreams.
BY TERRI ERCOLE
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• How are you doing? • Have you made progress and how do you know? • If you are stuck, can you make your goal more specific?
