Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Scholastic: A Rally To Raise Readers

Scholastic's motto is Read Every Day...Lead a Better Life. This organization has done a phenomenal job to impact literacy and reading for students and schools across the world. Please view the clip on their goal to "Raise Readers". The site is http://bcove.me/zqph6iub.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy New Year: Establishing Family Goals

Happy New Year! It’s time to start afresh and anew for this new season. Are you ready to set goals and objectives with your family? Take a little time and see what everyone has on their agenda for the New Year. The purpose of establishing goals and objectives is to keep everyone accountable and to become better person overall.

When my boys were young (around the ages of 3-7), they were unsure about having meetings to discuss their goals. At the time, my kids couldn’t express their goals so I recommended goals for them. Their list was really short and sweet. As I recall, they had up to three goals to work with. For example, my oldest son, who was seven at the time, had to follow directions, listen more, and talk less. I think his goals stayed the same for at least 2 years. My youngest son’s goal, when he was 3 years old, was to use his words more. His brother did all the talking for him. Instead of pointing to something that he knew the word(s) for or waiting for his brother to chime in on his behalf, he would have to say the word(s) before he could receive it or retrieve it. So as you can see, these goals sort of worked hand in hand for a while…one son had to talk less while the other son had to talk more.

Over the years, my kids have learned to anticipate this annual meeting on New Year’s Day. As a family, we start thinking about our goals during the holidays. Plus, we revisit goals from the previous year to see if we achieved them or not. If they were not achieved, a reason is needed. (Gentle reminders are noted throughout the year too in reference to staying on task.)

As it stands, the individual goals that caught my eye this year for my family include Balance, Greater Respect and Consideration, Make A/B Honor Roll, Become More Efficient, Consistent, and Organized, Practice Sports during the Off Season, and Stop Crying When There is No Need. I love that last one, and I look forward to seeing it actualized!

Have a wonderful, safe, and prosperous New Year and enjoy establishing your family's goals (not resolutions) for the year!