How to set academic goals with your children using a growth mindset

A new year has started and though the weeks after the holidays are not always easy, most of us are finally settling back into our spaces.

The hype of family gatherings, purchasing of presents and travelling has come to an end — the perfect opportunity for new beginnings. For some people, the winter season is not easy as we find ourselves experiencing low energy and a general feeling of gloom. It is the perfect time to sit with our loved ones and set goals for the present and the future.

As a teacher, I am constantly setting goals with my students. We talk about past experiences and reflect on what went well and what could have gone better. I encourage them to be objective and honest. Mistakes provide the perfect space for learning.

I teach the growth mindset, which focuses on aspects of people’s lives where they have power, such as their ability to learn, deal with difficult situations, face challenges and the choice to admit when they are wrong. We can become more open to reflection and identifying what works for us and where we need to grow. We can foster more positive thinking, resulting in increased resilience if a challenge does come along. Having that knowledge allows us to set attainable goals for the future.

At school, January is a time to tie up loose ends and move forward. As second term ends, it is important for kids to know where they stand and where they need to improve for the remainder of the year. It is not easy to tell a child they are weak in a certain area, but it is important to keep in mind that we don’t all have the same strengths and weakness. I have yet to meet any child or adult with no weaknesses. Each one of us has struggled in a subject or bombed a test.

We’ve all been told that we were not good enough at some point in our life. It’s time to break that trend.

No one is good at everything; true success comes from knowledge and understanding. It comes from being able to rise above what we’ve been told and take control of the facts. Here are easy activities to help you set goals and think more positively with your kids. I encourage you to do the activity alongside your child, as it is a great way to bond and start a conversation.

What’s your word?

This is one of my yearly favourites. I love the thought and honesty that goes into this small project. I have always created my own word with my students, and I’ve noticed that it helps them feel like they are not the only ones who have something to improve on. I start by having a class discussion, opening the floor for students to express what they feel is going well, their strength, and what they think they can improve on. I share my own strengths and weaknesses first, to model how it can be done. It puts the students at ease to see that I’m an adult and still have things to work on.

After the discussion, we brainstorm words to sum up our strengths and weaknesses. Students write, in big, bold letters, a positive word to adopt in the future. The words can be things like honestly, success, friendship, calm, positivity, or subject-oriented, like reading, math, French, writing.

Once a word is picked, the students write a quick sentence or two about why they chose this word and develop three action goals. The action goals consist of concrete ideas to help them reach their goals, from breathing exercises, to asking for help, to being a better friend. You would be amazed at what kids come up with.

Gratitude journals are another great way to take a ride on the positive side. First thing in the morning, I have students jot down five things they are grateful for. These can be anything that makes them happy: their family, a great lunch, a good grade, a fun adventure and more. They are not have limited to big life events. They wrap up their journal entry with a positive statement, like “I am strong” or “I am confident.”

We all need a little boost of happiness sometimes. What we don’t always see is how attainable positive thinking really is.

How do you set goals with your children? We would love to hear from you! bianca.ferrara3@hotmail.com

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