SMART Goals Worksheets & Examples (PDF): Fun SMART Goals for Kids

SMART is an acronym and mnemonic device coined by Professor Robert S. Rubin to simplify the teaching of goal-setting principles.

SMART stands for:

• S- Specific
• M- Measurable
• A- Attainable
• R- Relevant
• T-Time-bound

These principles apply to any goal we want to achieve: academic goals, classroom goals, personal goals, achievement goals, behavior goals.

What are Specific Goals?

Non-specific goals are ambiguous. We don’t know what we need to achieve.

But, how can we teach a child what a specific goal is?

The five Ws are a good start.

The five Ws are questions that help us gather basic information.

Let’s define our goals by answering some of the following questions:

• Who
• Where
• When
• What
• Which

Specific Goal Example

Unspecific Goal: I will clean up my room

Specific Goal: I (Who) will put my toys (What) in the basket (Where) before going to bed (When) 

Measurable means that we can quantify our goals.When you can measure a goal, you can also:

• track your progress
• know when you have met your goal.

How can we help our kids set measurable goals?

Our goals need to answer “How Much” or “How Many” questions

Measurable Goal Example

Non-Measurable Goal: I will read more.

Measurable Goal: I will read 15 minutes every day.

What are Attainable Goals?

An attainable goal is a goal that we can achieve. 

We may need to make an effort and work hard but it is a realistic goal.

Attainable is the original term in this acronym.

Still, your child may understand this better if you use the term “Achievable Goal” (that’s the term I’ve used in the SMART Goals Worksheet PDF that you can download at the end of this post).

A goal that is too difficult to achieve will result in failure, and your child may lose motivation, feel frustrated, or, worse, feel tempted to “fake” the results.

Attainable Goal Example

Unattainable Goal: I will win the school swimming competition (let’s imagine your child is far from being the fastest swimmer on the team)

Attainable Goal: I will improve my freestyle record by 5 seconds in the school swimming competition

What Are Relevant Goals?

Relevant goals are goals that align with your child’s interests and values.

Explore with your child why specific goals are important to them.

If the goal they choose is intended to make you happy, or they feel pressured to do it, they will be relying on external motivators and not what really matters to them.

It will be more difficult to persevere towards their goals when they respond to:

• Social pressure
• Other peoples expectations

Relevant Goal Example

Let’s assume your child loves writing but is not big on gymnastics (no matter how much you loved it at school).

Non-Relevant Goal: I will join the gymnastics team

Relevant Goal: I will join the creative writing club at school

What are Time-Bound Goals?

Time-bound means there is a time frame for your child’s goal. 

Can you think of how many things you wish to do that you never start because you have not established a deadline for it?

A time frame helps us stay focused.

A helpful tip for your child is that their goals should answer the question “When”.

Time-Bound Goal Example

Unspecified Goal: I will practice my times tables.

Time-bound Goal: I will practice my times tables 10 minutes every weekday.