Two months ago I moved to Northern California. Our backyard has a deck and lots of bare dirt. I was talking with some of the children in our extended family (ages 9, 7 and 5) about ideas for the dirt. The five-year-old suggested that we put in a “beaver pond.” Other ideas floated were for a butterfly garden, lizards, birdhouses, sunflowers, ladybugs and “a bird’s nest—tiny.”

As we talked, the youngest started making a checklist (I recognize those boxes with check marks!) and another was sketching out the garden design (see above). When I noticed their affinity for planning, I decided to turn their ideas into a S.M.A.R.T. goal for myself and show it to them. Maybe I could model for them one proven method of moving ideas into becoming a reality.

I chose the birdhouses as my example S.M.A.R.T. goal.

  • SPECIFIC: I want to add two birdhouses to my garden.
  • MEASURABLE:  To meet my goal I will gather materials to make 2 birdhouses and invite these children to help me make them.
  • ACTION PLAN: Go to the craft store for supplies. Arrange with their parents a good time to work on it. Brainstorm what we want to do to celebrate our completed goal.
  • REALISTIC: (for reflection afterwards) Did I reach my goal? What worked? What didn’t work?
  • TIME (BY WHEN?)  By June 15

Maybe one of them will want to try making a SMART goal for something they want to do this summer.

“Small victories, successfully implemented, yield huge results.” –Peter Walsh 

Tweetable: Free from school routine, kids can turn some of their own ideas into reality with S.M.A.R.T. goals. Click to Tweet