Our January “Word of the Month” at the Komodo Academy is “GOALS” which our instructors will be talking about in our programs all this month. It’s important to talk to children about goals and goal setting from a young age. Setting goals helps children develop important life skills such as planning, organizing, and perseverance. It also gives them a sense of direction and purpose, and can motivate them to work hard and try their best.
One way to start this conversation at home, or in the car ride after their class is by asking your child what they want to achieve in their martial arts training. Do they want to earn a certain belt? Do they want to compete in a tournament? Do they want to train at a more advanced level program? It’s important to encourage them to set goals, whatever they may be, and to help them come up with a plan to achieve them. (You can even ask, what happens to goals that don’t have a plan?) The more specific and detailed the goal, the better!
It’s also beneficial to talk about obstacles and challenges that could come up that could prevent them from achieving a goal. By talking about what may come up in the future, and to have a plan in place to overcome those challenges, they will be more prepared to stay the course in achieving their goal, throughout any potential difficult times and setbacks.
As a parent, one of the best ways you can support your child in their goal setting journey is by being their biggest cheerleader. Encourage them to stay focused and to never give up, even when things get tough. You can also help by providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed, such as utilizing our Student Portal, practicing at home, and instilling a positive martial arts mindset of perseverance, grit, and resilience.
It’s also important to teach your child the importance of following through on their goals. This means sticking to their plan and putting in the work required to achieve their goals. This can be challenging, especially for young children, but it’s a valuable lesson that will serve them well throughout their lives. Ask, what can you do to keep yourself from giving up on difficult goals? Think about a difficult goal you’ve had in the past, how do you feel once you’ve put in the work and achieved it? Following through will teach your child invaluable life skills, and instill a sense of pride and confidence within themselves that can only be earned by experience.
For New Years last year, one of our Tiny Dragons students made a vision board for his goals in 2022. On it, he put becoming a Trex member and earning his orange belt. This young student followed through and achieved both of his goals! He proved you are never too young to be a goal-setter and goal-getter.
Talking to your children about goals, goal setting, and following through is an important part of their development. As a parent, you can support your child by encouraging them, providing them with the resources they need, and teaching them the value of hard work and perseverance. These skills will not only help them succeed in their martial arts journey, but in all aspects of their lives. We at Komodo Academy are proud to be one of your resources, feel free to utilize us to your advantage! Let’s bring on a strong new year together!
-Komodo Academy. More than just an activity.