# Lesson 208: Setting small goals

❤️ SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Understanding Myself

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## Objective

I can choose a small goal for myself and break it into tiny steps. I can plan one small action to try today and remember that trying again helps me grow.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Optional: small stickers or stars to mark steps that are done

## Mini-lesson — What is a small goal?

A goal is something you want to do or get better at. A small goal uses tiny steps that feel safe and possible for you.

Examples of small goals

- "I want to read one short book with an adult each day."
- "I want to put my toys away after I play."
- "I want to practise tying one shoe each afternoon."

Big goal vs. small steps

- A big goal might feel heavy or too far away.
- Small steps are like little stairs that help you climb slowly.
- We can ask, "What is one tiny thing I can do today?"

Good small goals

- They are kind to your body and feelings.
- They are safe and do not hurt anyone.
- They are clear (you know what to do).
- They are small enough to try in a short time.

Trying and trying again

- Sometimes we reach a goal; sometimes we practise again.
- Every try is part of learning.
- We can say, "I am still working on this."

Adults can help children pick gentle, realistic goals that match their age, health, and family needs.

Picture strip: Climbing a small goal ladder

## Guided Practice — My small goal ladder

You and an adult will choose one small goal and break it into three tiny steps.

1. On a notebook page, draw a big ladder with three steps. Leave room to write on each step.
2. With the adult, think of one small goal that feels kind and safe. Examples: "I want to read for 5 minutes." or "I want to put my shoes on the shelf."
3. At the top of the page, write or trace your goal in a simple sentence, such as "My small goal is to read 5 minutes."
4. Now think of three tiny steps that can help. For example:
   - Step 1: "Choose a book."
   - Step 2: "Sit in my reading spot."
   - Step 3: "Read with an adult for 5 minutes."
   Write or trace one step on each ladder step.
5. Add a small picture next to each step to show what it looks like.
6. Read the three steps out loud with the adult. The adult can say, "These are kind, possible steps for you."

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Today's tiny goal card

Use this practice to help your child choose one tiny goal for today and notice when they have tried it.

1. On a new page, draw a simple card shape and title it "Today's tiny goal".
2. With the adult, choose one very small action to try today, linked to the child's ladder goal. Example: "Today I will put my shoes on the shelf one time."
3. Write or trace the tiny goal in a short sentence on the card. Keep it clear and kind.
4. Draw a picture of yourself trying the tiny goal.
5. Add a little box at the bottom that says "I tried it" with a checkbox. At the end of the day, the adult and child can check the box together if the child tried, even if it was not perfect.
6. Say a sentence together, such as "I am proud that I tried my tiny goal." The adult can add, "We can choose a new tiny goal another day."

## Quick Check — Setting small goals

Answer each question about goals, small steps, and trying again.

1) What is a goal?

A game you play once and forget. Something you want to do or get better at. A kind of snack.
A goal is something you want to do or improve.

2) Which is an example of a small goal?

"I will read for 5 minutes with an adult." "I will read every book in the world today." "I will never read again."
A small goal is short and realistic, like reading for 5 minutes.

3) Why do we use small steps for goals?

To make everything as hard as possible. So we never have to try. To help big goals feel easier and possible.
Small steps make goals feel easier to reach.

4) Which sentence is a good tiny step?

"I will clean the whole world." "I will put my toys in the box after I play." "I will never clean again."
Putting toys in the box is a clear, small step.

5) Which tiny goal is kind and safe?

"I will practise tying one shoe with an adult." "I will jump from a very high place." "I will run into the road."
Good goals are kind and safe for your body.

6) You forget to try your tiny goal today. What is a helpful thought?

"I am terrible and I can never try again." "Goals are only for other people." "I can try my tiny goal again tomorrow."
Trying again on another day is part of reaching goals.

7) Who can help you choose a good goal for you?

A stranger you do not know. A trusted adult, like a parent or teacher. Nobody. You must never ask for help.
Trusted adults can help you choose gentle, realistic goals.

8) Which sentence shows kind self-talk about goals?

"I am learning, and small steps can help me." "If I am not perfect, I should stop." "I should reach every goal in one day."
Kind self-talk remembers that learning takes time and small steps.

9) When you finish or try a tiny goal, what can you do?

Pretend it did not happen. Tell yourself it was not good enough. Notice it and feel proud that you tried.
It is good to notice your effort and feel proud.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To make huge, impossible goals. To learn to set small, kind goals and use tiny steps to reach them. To feel bad whenever goals are hard.
The goal is to use small, kind steps to work on goals.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can say in simple words what a goal is. Student can give at least one example of a small, realistic goal for themselves. Student can help break a goal into two or three tiny steps. Student understands that it is okay to try again on another day. Student can use kind self-talk about goals (for example, "I am learning and small steps help me.").

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can choose a small goal and think of tiny steps to reach it. 🙂 I can think of some small goals, but I want more practice with tiny steps. 😅 Setting small goals still feels a bit tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Choosing one tiny goal for the day Breaking a goal into three small steps Using kind words when I work on a goal
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