Science of Parenting: Helping kids set goals

AMES ? Eat better. Exercise more. Get organized. Learn something new. It?s that time of year when adults make resolutions to help them reach their goals. It?s also a good time for parents to help their children build goal-setting skills, say the Science of Parenting bloggers from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

?To succeed in school and in life, children need to be able to make their own decisions and guide their own behavior,? said Janet Smith, a human sciences specialist in family life.

?Setting goals can help kids learn to connect their own personal choices with the end results. Parents can be involved by helping their children think about and set personal goals, and then encouraging them to work toward the goals,? Smith said.

?But try to avoid steering your child toward the goal you want him or her to achieve. Offer guidance, but let your child choose the goal. Children who have a say in what they are learning are more motivated to succeed,? said Lori Hayungs, also a human sciences specialist in family life.

?What matters is that children see themselves making progress. This is far more important than what the specific goal is,? Hayungs said.

This month Smith and Hayungs will blog about temperament traits and how they impact achieving goals. They will discuss strategies parents can use to help children set realistic goals. They also will discuss how to establish new habits, overcome obstacles and help children learn to persevere.

Learn more from tips on the blog throughout the month and in a brief podcast. Through the Science of Parenting, www.scienceofparenting.org, ISU Extension and Outreach specialists share and discuss research-based information and resources to help parents rear their children. Parents can join in the conversation and share thoughts and experiences, as well as how they handle parenting responsibilities.

The Science of Parenting from ISU Extension and Outreach also is available on Twitter and via text message.