Hi everyone! I’m Mandy Bush and I am the online business manager for Cardinal Rule Press (Maria’s publishing company). I am a mother of 2 (son and daughter) and I will be blogging this month on Be the Difference and will be recapping some valuable tips from Maria’s new show, Empowering Kids With Character – The Show!
On January 18, Maria showed us a fun game that will help you when explaining to children the importance of not only goal setting, but setting an achievable goal! You can watch the full video here.
Maria got this idea from a school counselor with a blog: http://lifeontheflycounselor.blogspot.com/– who picked it up from a conference she went to, so they’re not really sure who to give credit with this fun game.
NEED:
- Basket
- Soft toy or ball to throw
Step 1:
- Put the basket out and have your child stand a few feet back. Ask them to close their eyes and try to toss the object into the basket without looking. Explain to them that this is like not having any goals or vision – going through life every day without sitting down to set your goals.
Step 2:
- Have your child back up more (maybe 12 feet) and have them throw the object with eyes open. Explain that this is an example of having a goal that is too hard or out of reach. You don’t have the resources or tools to be able to meet that goal. It’s just not a reasonable goal.
Step 3:
- Have the child get really close to the basket and throw with eyes open. This is an example of goals that are too easy! We can have goals that are too easy, too hard…we want to find appropriate, challenging goal that is just right for us.
Step 4:
- Set the basket about 4 feet in front of your child and ask them to try to throw the object in the basket with their eyes open. This is an example of having a goal that is just right. Not too hard, not too easy.
In a previous video, Maria talked about goal markers, which are tools and resources that will help. The following helps to give your children (and yourself!) a visual of this.
Step 5:
- Hold the basket in front of your child, a few feet away. Ask your child to throw the object into the basket, with their eyes open. When they toss the object, you move the basket to catch it! You can then explain to them that you supported them in helping make their goal happen! You were a goal marker for them. Remind them that a goal marker can besomeone or something in their life that will help them accomplish their goal.
Such a fun game and I’m excited to do this with my own 4 year old. ?
Did you miss the recent Empower, Ignite & Soar Character Summit that Maria references at the beginning of this video? Find out more here!
Learn more about setting goals as a family with our free download. You will be opted into our monthly newsletter with quick tips to bringing positive character into your home and/or classroom.