With the new year upon us, I always like to encourage our families to set some new goals for the upcoming calendar year. Perhaps it is time to refresh the goals already set when the new school year began.
One of my often-used phrases, even with my own children, is to be “comfortable with being uncomfortable.” In other words, real growth only comes with some discomfort and challenges—and that’s ok! This analogy applies to any goal area, such as physical fitness, academics, musicianship, athletic teams, time management, healthy eating, etc. The real point is we should always be challenging our children (and ourselves, for that matter) to grow, learn, and push ourselves.
Why is goal setting important for children? Setting goals helps children develop motivation, self-confidence, and a clearer understanding of what they are working toward.
Why goal setting matters for children:
1. Builds confidence and self-belief
When kids set a goal and reach it (even a small one), they learn: “I can do hard things.” That success sticks and makes them more willing to try again.
2. Teaches responsibility and independence
Goals shift kids from “being told what to do” to “choosing what I want to work on.” That sense of ownership is huge for motivation.
3. Improves focus and motivation
A clear goal gives kids something to aim at. Homework, practice, or chores feel more meaningful when there’s a purpose behind them.
4. Develops problem-solving skills
Kids learn to break big goals into smaller steps, adjust when things don’t work, and keep going after setbacks—basically, life skills in training.
5. Encourages perseverance and resilience
Not every goal is achieved right away. Learning to handle frustration and keep trying builds grit and emotional strength.
6. Helps children understand progress, not perfection
Goal setting teaches kids to measure improvement over time, rather than comparing themselves to others.
I personally like reason number six. When I visit classrooms, I always like to tell the class, “I am here to see the hardest-working classroom in Batavia!” Not the smartest—but the hardest working! Sometimes we call that grit or perseverance!
Finally, this weekend, we honor the legacy and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and I always like to recommend the movie “Selma” to watch in honor of this holiday.
Have a great weekend, and Go Bills!
Jason A. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
Batavia City School District
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