Goal Setting and Tracking

Teaching goal setting for character development empowers children to take ownership of their growth and builds skills that transfer to all areas of life.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Introduce character goals: 'A goal is something you want to achieve. Character goals are about the kind of person you want to become—like being more patient, or better at including others. Today you're going to set your own character goals!'

Brainstorm possible character goals: be kinder, listen better, control temper, include others, be more honest, try harder when things are difficult, share more, be a better friend. Help children identify goals that are meaningful to them personally.

Teach goal-setting criteria: goals should be specific ('Be kinder' becomes 'Do one kind thing every day'), measurable ('I can count how many kind things I do'), and achievable ('I can really do this').

Create action plans: 'What specific steps will you take to reach your goal?' A child working on patience might plan: 'Practise counting to 5 before reacting. Use the calm-down corner when I'm frustrated. Ask for help when waiting is really hard.'

Establish tracking systems: daily check-ins, sticker charts, journal reflections. Review goals regularly: 'How is it going? What's helping? What's getting in the way? Do you need to adjust your plan?'

Celebrate goal achievement and set new goals to continue growth.

Educator tip

Help children set goals that match their actual growth areas—not what they think you want to hear. Ask: 'What's something about your character that you want to work on? Something that's sometimes hard for you?'

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Evaluate appropriateness of goals, quality of action plans, consistency of tracking, and reflection on progress.

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