Today's Tip for Families

2025-10-10

Help Your Child Meet Challenging Goals

Your child wants to play a solo in the school musical program. Or wants to make the honor roll every grading period.

Sometimes, children set goals for themselves that are higher than their families would set for them. Many parents wonder whether to try to talk their students out of their lofty ambitions. Is it better to let a child try and fail, or to encourage a child to set the bar a little lower to ensure success?

People who achieve usually set their sights high. From basketball superstar Julius Irving, who said, "Goals determine what you're going to be," to author C.S. Lewis, who advised, "Aim at Heaven and you will get earth 'thrown in': aim at earth and you will get neither," the people who have accomplished the most are the ones who set high standards for themselves.

To support your child's effort to reach a high goal:

Help break the goal down into a series of smaller, more achievable goals. Ask, "If you want to raise your grade in math so you can get on the honor roll, what would you need to do?" Then, write down the steps your child would need to follow.
Be encouraging if the going gets rough. Kids who have set high goals for themselves are likely to encounter some obstacles. That's when they need you to say, "Keep your eyes on your goal. Getting on the honor roll is a great goal, and I know you have what it takes to reach it."
Help your child recognize progress even if the goal is still out of reach. If things don't go as planned, point out how far your child has come. "You didn't get the A this quarter, but you got a B plus. That's a tremendous improvement you can be proud of."

Brought to you by:

West Point Consolidated School District