January Counselor’s Corner Goal Setting Books A Resource for Parents Laurie Coon, Glacier Ridge School Counselor coon_laurie@dublinschools.net (614) 718-­‐8893 Jump to the Moon by Bert Miller Smart New Year's Resolutions Kids Can Make *Help your child choose specific, achievable resolutions to set them up for success in the New Year. Not only can it be a valuable teaching moment about setting goals and sticking to them, but can help kids to improve responsibility, develop their communication and decision-­‐making skills. Short Stories for Confident Kids by David Machin Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Suess The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. Here are some specific, measureable, suggestions: 1. Increasing physical activity is always a good resolution, but Dr. Eastman says the word "exercise" can be boring. "If you make it sound fun, it's more likely to stick." Instead of: "I'm going to exercise more." Suggest: "I'm going to join a soccer team." Or, "I'm going to go to yoga class with Mom on Saturdays." 2. Reduce screen time and increase reading time. Instead of: "We're going to cut down on screen time." Suggest: "We're going to read for 30 minutes before bed instead of watching TV or before playing a video game." 3. Committing to chores is always smart because it can make kids feel needed, useful, and develops responsibility. Instead of: "I'm going to help out around the house." Suggest: "I'm going to set the table for dinner every night." Or, "I'm going to help clean my bedroom once a week." 4. Kindness. Teaching kids kindness is needed in our world today. Instead of: "I'm going to be nicer to people." Suggest: "I'm going to do one random act of kindness a week." Or, "I'm going to talk to one person at school I've never met each day." 5. Challenge kids to research and create something new with their interests. Instead of: "I'm going to learn something new." Suggest: “I’m very interested in fishing, I will research different types of bait that’s needed to catch my favorite fish.” 6. Commit to spending more time together having fun as a family. Instead of: "We're going to spend more quality time together." Suggest: "We're going to have game night every Friday." *Ideas from Parents/Kim Conte How Children Succeed by Paul Tough Check out the GRE Guidance Webpage or twitter account at @gre138 for the latest information about classroom lessons, student and parent resources, student leadership, greeter club, and more! http://www.dublinschools.net/LaurieCoon.aspx Check out consider getting your kids in on the tradition this year goals and