In December I was delighted to have the opportunity to share my profession with a class of early childhood education students at Oulton College. I was inspired, encouraged actually,  to discover that our future in childcare and early learning is secure with the rise of interested, passionate and promising educators about to enter the childcare field.

I shared with them the qualities and attributes needed to be successful in working with children in the childcare sector.  Qualities such as honesty, engagement, passion, patience, enthusiasm, compassion, humour, creativity and flexibility. We discussed the need to be organized, prepared and goal oriented as well as  to establish goals ensuring successful outcomes.  They shared with me their determination and goals of becoming the best of the best in the field.

I could see their desire to work with children through their eyes, heard the confirmation through their words which was further validated through  their follow-up emails to me, eager to learn more.

Each January we traditionally set New Year’s resolutions in a grand manner but they are easily broken. In the spirit of resolutions, knowing what you want, setting a goal, establishing a plan and taking action will produce the desired outcome.

To make any change that is life altering you always need a plan.  Everyone who knows me well, knows that I firmly believe if you desire something, such as a specific outcome, you put action to it.  I love creating vision boards that illustrate the goal or describe the plan, which I have shared in previous blogs.  Setting goals and making New Year resolutions with children are exercises rich in learning.

Children also benefit greatly from learning how to plan and reach goals.  Goal setting allows them to learn how to manage time, make good decisions and establishes skills which will have a lasting and positive impact on their future. I have attached a fun and supportive link to helping you encourage your child to set goals which produce desired outcomes. I hope you have fun with it.

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/teach-children-goal-setting-fun-activities-18909.html

I leave you with this.  It has been said that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Only by focusing your time and effort on your plans and goals will your desired outcomes be reached.

Wishing you happy planning and successful goal setting New Year!