Behavior Goal Setting for Kids
When preferred behavior goals are formulated for your children, it’s important to identify the steps children need that move them toward that goal. Children need to know step by step how to reach the desired outcome. There are several different tools that can be used to help children visualize the progress toward the goalSecondary Schools.
1. Kite Goal Setting – Identify no more than two goals at a time. List them as “I will …” statements on a strip of paper. Glue the strip of paper to a small kite. Make five bows to be used as the tails of the kite. The five bows represent the hourly and daily steps the child takes in order to reach the goal. The younger the child, the fewer bows/steps needed to reach the desired goal.
2. Paper Chain Goal Setting – Identify a specific goal for each child. Every time the child demonstrates appropriate behavior, glue or staple together colored construction paper 1″ x 3″ strips forming a circle. Each time a step toward a goal is reached, add a new colored strip to the existing chain. Eventually the chain will reach the floor. You can tape this “chain” to the child’s desk so that it hangs toward the floor as a reminder of the progress toward the goal.
3. Zip Lock Choices – Take a picture of the behavior you expect from your children. Tape the picture to a card that has thermometer-like lines on it. Place this in a Zip Lock bag. Hold the zip lock bag with the “lock” moving up and down along the right side. Moving the lock up and down on the lines will show that the child has made either appropriate or inappropriate behavior choices. Always start with the lock in the middle of the bag. If you slide the zip lock toward the top, it shows appropriate behavior. If you slide it toward the bottom, it represents inappropriate choices. A small motivator can be placed in the bag. The child will receive this motivator when progress has been made by the child’s appropriate choices.
4. Puzzle Goals – Make an agreement with a child about what you need from them. Encourage them to verbalize the agreement. Take a picture of the child doing exactly what you want them to do so there will be no confusion as to the behavior you expect. Make a puzzle out of the picture and cut into 6 pieces. Explain to the child that every time you observe or receive information about their responsible behavior you will give them a piece of the puzzle to glue together. Once the puzzle is complete it makes a really clear statement the child is meeting their behavior goals.
5. Color the Number Goals – Have the child trace their hands on an 8-1/2″ x 11″ piece of paper. Each of the fingers represents one step toward the goal of using the child’s hands for helping, not for hitting. The palm of the hand represents another step. Write a number on each finger including the palm as number 6. When the child demonstrates thoughtfulness and appropriate behavior, have them color in one of the fingers as a way to record that “hands are for helping.”
6. Penny in the Jar Goals – Start by finding a small jar, i.e. baby food jar or small jam jar. Place 30 pennies in the jar to begin. Invite the children to bring in more pennies. Each day place pennies in the jar to represent responsible acts. Reinforce with the child meeting your prescribed goals by citing their responsible behavior that is observed. If students misbehave or make inappropriate choices, then take two pennies out of the jar. Make sure to express hurt feelings when children make poor choices, rather than to say, “I told you so!”
7. 20 Day Goal Cards – Teach your children the importance of writing …
a. Personal goals (Becoming)
b. The principals of positive relationships goals (Relating)
c. Academic Goals (Achievement)
An actual goal setting card with becoming, relating, and achieving can be found in the book The Big “R” Responsibility!
by Gene Bedley