The start of a new year is a wonderful opportunity to help children reflect, reset and look ahead with confidence. While adults often talk about resolutions, children benefit most from setting goals that feel positive, realistic and achievable. At Unicorn, our independent school in Richmond, we see first-hand how goal setting can support children’s emotional wellbeing, confidence and motivation from an early age. Whether children are in nursery, prep school or preparing for their next stage of learning, the right approach to goal setting can make a meaningful difference.
Keep Goals Small and Specific
The first step is to keep goals small and specific. Rather than aiming to “be better at maths” or “try harder at school”, encourage children to focus on clear, manageable actions, such as practising times tables for five minutes a day or reading aloud three times a week. Small goals help children experience success early, which builds motivation and self-belief. This approach is especially effective for younger children in nursery and early years settings, where achievable targets help build routine and confidence. At our nursery in Richmond, we often encourage simple, age-appropriate goals that feel achievable and rewarding.
Encourage Children to Take Ownership
It’s also important to involve children in choosing their own goals. When goals are self-selected, children feel a greater sense of ownership and responsibility. Gentle guidance from adults can help shape these ideas into something practical, but the child’s voice should always lead. Allowing children to feel heard supports independence and decision-making skills, which are key values across our school.
Break Goals into Manageable Steps
Breaking goals into steps can make them feel less daunting. Talking through how a goal will be achieved helps children understand that progress comes from effort over time, not instant results. Visual tools such as charts, checklists or simple journals can be especially helpful for younger children. These tools also help children develop organisation skills and a sense of routine, which are essential foundations for learning in any independent school environment.
Celebrate Effort and Progress
Celebrating progress matters just as much as reaching the goal itself. Praise effort, perseverance and improvement rather than perfection. This teaches children that learning is a journey and that setbacks are a normal part of growth.
Stay Flexible and Positive
Finally, remind children that goals can change. If something feels too easy or too hard, it’s okay to adjust. Flexibility encourages resilience and helps children develop a healthy, confident attitude towards challenge. Learning to adapt goals helps children manage expectations and build emotional resilience, skills that support them well beyond the classroom.
At Unicorn, by supporting children to set achievable goals, we help them develop independence, self-motivation and a positive mindset that will serve them well beyond January.
