science curriculumDrifting through life is not an option for most kids who need to find a worthwhile objective for their lives. Kids when young want to be a million different things but as they grow older the choices for a fulfilling career narrow down. Perhaps the most angst is experienced by homeschooling teenagers who are not sure just what their goals for the future should be. Here we look at a simple method that will help them set valid goals that will improve the quality of their future.

Start Goal Setting Young

Goal setting is an acquired skill requiring some amount of organization. The best way to teach it to homeschooling children is when they are still young. Start with simple goals by asking them simple questions like what sport or skill would you like to become really good at this year? Or who are the people you want to spend more time with. Or what do you want to save money to buy this year end at Christmas. As long as the goal has a measurable end it is a good one. You should be able to measure the difference in skill level, or time spent with a loved one or purchase of the product.

Make Goals More Complex

As children manage to set and achieve simple goals in their younger years you may like to up the ante to more complex goals as the days go by. Start by asking questions like what would your ideal day be like, what all would you do that day? Or what all would you like to own or have by the end of the year. The fixed time frame and measurable results help the goal become a reality. If your child wants to publish a book of poetry ask how many poems the book will have, who the publisher will be and what the illustrations will look like. The more details the child is able to focus on the better the chance of the book actually being published. It works in a similar manner for any other goal that your teenaged homeschooling student may have.