Schools teach children how to read, how to write, how to manipulate numbers, almost everything that they need to know in preparation for life.
Yet they omit the most valuable lessons children need to know, that is, the ability to set and achieve goals.
So it is the parent's job to teach these lessons so that the kids will attain their highest potential.
The children cannot see the significance of setting and working toward objectives.
That is because they don't look forward to what will happen in future.
They can only see the present.
The parents will have to point out the function of setting a goal in real life by using actual events that happened in the parent's life.
Or the parents can use examples that the child can relate to like getting into little league baseball or learning ballet.
Or they could work on becoming an honor student by getting straight A's.
Or they could learn how to play the piano.
Whichever goal they choose to achieve, the parents will have to point it out for them because they will not make the connection.
It is advisable to start with small goals rather than objectives that are very lofty.
Otherwise they could get overwhelmed and therefore relate goal-setting to negative associations.
Sit with the children and discuss with them the phases of the process of putting the goal on paper.
Enumerate in detail the exact things they can do to achieve it.
It won't make a difference if these things are very simple or if the goal is very small, the rationale is to make the children learn the process.
If you provide them with a stipend or allowance, then a nice goal would be how to save money.
They could determine their progress each week.
You could conjure a myriad of goals for them but the best ones should come from them.
So raise this question for them and let them think of a goal then lead them in the course of the method.
Clarify to them that setbacks could happen but they are not reasons for them to quit.
You could point out to them the attitude of the Robinson Family, its okay to make mistakes.
Elucidate them that setbacks are an opportunity to learn from their experience.
Always ask them to focus on what they have learned from these failures.
Learning is not just knowing what to do but also being aware of what not to do.