FOCUS
Concentrating With a Goal in Mind
One Obstacle at a Time - Younger
*Study Skills
*Building Good Work Habits
Talk together about the fact that there are always
obstacles on the road to fulfilling a goal. Instead
of thinking of all of them, start with one. Identify
and talk together about just one obstacle in the path
of meeting the goal. It might be how to keep nervousness
under control. Focus on it and forget the others.
Ask your child what to do about it. Think of several
ways to deal with it. Keep talking about this one
problem, not any others. Tackling one obstacle at
a time makes success seem possible, even likely.
Making a Plan - Older
*Study Skills
*Organizing a Plan
*Listening and Talking Together
OK, now you're ready to buy the bike or make the
speech. What do you do first? second? third?
A plan doesn't have to be written in some fancy document.
It does need a semblance of order. This order varies
based upon each person's idea of order. There are
the neatniks and the not so neat. Our kids do not
have to use the same 1,2,3 model we use.
For this activity, use paper, pencil and thinking
minds. Together, choose a goal. Then separately write
down your plan for meeting it. After you have jotted
down your ideas, talk about how your plans of action
are similar and different.
For example, to buy a bike: 1) I have my information.
2) I am ready to visit the stores. 3) I am ready to
ask my questions. 4) I am ready to pick the brand
(s) I am most interested in. 5) I am ready to check
out comparative prices at other stores. 6) I am ready
to make the purchase.
For example, to make the speech: 1) I have chosen
my subject. 2) I have the information. 3) I sit down
to write my outline. 4) I revise it. 5) I practice
it at home. 6) I time myself. 7) I go to class, as
ready as I will ever be.
Developing strategies to meet goals is very exciting
learning, for younger and older students. The older
we get, the more we enjoy the strategizing. We can
all learn how to do it and enjoy it.
