Raising a child can sometimes be overwhelming. Parents and caregivers need to pay attention to the child’s physical growth and also academic growth to ensure they grow up healthy and smart. From linguistic development to higher-order thinking skills like problem-solving – there’s just so much to keep track of.

When setting learning goals for your child in the new year, it can feel overwhelming if you try to focus on everything at once. Yet, there is also folly in over-emphasising one area, and neglecting the rest. That’s why we’ve come up with a quick guide to help you set holistic goals for your child this year.

Academic goals

Academic goals encompass areas of learning, such as language and counting. This is definitely one of the important goals as it is what most IB and international schools would emphasise on. Parents usually won’t have to worry as long as their child is actively involved in school. What you can do is help them get familiarised with their school syllabus, review concepts with them, and ensure they keep up with their homework.

Physical goals

It is crucial to teach every child to understand the value physical activity can have on their lives. Engaging in physical activities can play a huge role in their fitness and motor skills development. Fine motor skills are also vital as they are focused on more complex movements made by the fingers in conjunction with the hands and forearms. You can help them by engaging them in activities such as doing craftwork or playing with Lego. There are plenty of activities that you can incorporate into your lesson plans to ensure these skills develop appropriately. You can encourage your child to pick up a new sport this year, or reach a new personal best in their sport of choice!

Cognitive goals

Aside from academic knowledge, higher-order thinking skills are also vital to a person’s success. Skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving are harder to teach, but they will serve your child well. Therefore, your cognitive goals for them should foster curiosity and excitement for learning. You can always start with asking them questions, setting a good example, or give them practice in problem-solving.

Social goals

Most children have no problem making friends, but some might need a little push. Adults might also need to guide and teach them how to interact properly with others. For example, children need to be taught how to treat others with respect, how to work in a team, and how to resolve disagreements. Most of the time, children learn by imitation, so parents have to set an example and remind their child of the right way to behave.

Conclusion

Goals help parents monitor their child’s progress. When a child achieves a goal, they will also feel a sense of accomplishment and boost of confidence! However, it is always crucial to remember that every child learns and grows at their own pace, and appropriate goals should be set for every individual. Parents should always find the best kindergarten school for their child to ensure better support in their growth.