5 Steps for Teaching Goals to Children and Youth

By Becky Squire

Goal setting is an essential skill for personal growth and success, and as parents and leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it’s our privilege to teach and inspire children and youth to set meaningful goals that align with their faith and values. By encouraging goal-setting early, we help young people cultivate a sense of purpose, responsibility, and a desire to work toward becoming the best versions of themselves—spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually.

1. Help Them Understand the Purpose of Setting Goals

To effectively encourage children and youth to set goals, it’s important to help them understand the why behind goal setting. In the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are taught to become like Him—constantly striving to improve, serve, and grow. The scriptures are full of examples of individuals who set goals and worked toward achieving them, such as Nephi building a ship, Alma the Younger repenting and serving, and the Savior’s ultimate goal of fulfilling His mission of salvation.

Teach children and youth that goal-setting is not about achieving perfection, but about progression. Help them see that as they set goals, they are following the Savior's example of being intentional in their efforts to grow and serve others. This perspective can shift the focus from the outcome to the process of becoming more like Christ.

2. Set Spiritual and Temporal Goals

As Latter-day Saints, we believe that true happiness comes from balancing both spiritual and temporal goals. Encourage children to set goals that foster these aspects of their lives:

• Spiritual
• Physical
• Intellectual
• Social

Teach youth to seek guidance from Heavenly Father through prayer and scripture study when setting their goals. Let them know that as they align their goals with God’s will, they invite His help and blessings in their efforts.

3. Break Goals into Smaller Steps

Sometimes, the idea of setting a big goal can feel overwhelming, especially for younger children or youth who are still developing self-discipline. To make the process less daunting, encourage them to break down their larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. For instance, if the goal is to read the entire Book of Mormon, encourage them to aim for a specific number of pages or chapters each day or week. Celebrate small successes along the way to keep their motivation high.

The goal-setting process should always focus on progress, not perfection. When children and youth achieve smaller milestones, they develop confidence and the understanding that they can accomplish great things through consistent effort.

4. Use the Principles of the Gospel to Guide Their Efforts

In the goal-setting process, it’s important to integrate gospel principles such as faith, obedience, and perseverance. Teach children and youth that while they can work hard to accomplish their goals, they must also rely on the Lord’s timing and will. In moments of discouragement or setbacks, remind them of the Savior’s patience and how He never gave up on His divine mission, no matter how difficult it became.

Also, encourage them to pray for guidance, and to seek the help of trusted leaders and family members. The goal-setting journey should always be seen as a team effort, with the Lord walking beside them.

5. Be a Supportive Example

Finally, one of the most powerful ways to encourage children and youth to set goals is by setting an example yourself. Let them see you working toward your own goals, whether they are spiritual, physical, intellectual, or social. Share your struggles and triumphs along the way, and involve them in your journey. When they see you turning to the Lord in prayer for strength and guidance, they will better understand how to incorporate faith into their own goal-setting efforts.

Goal-setting is a crucial life skill that can help children and youth live with purpose, self-discipline, and faith. By encouraging them to set both spiritual and temporal goals, guiding them to break those goals into manageable steps, and demonstrating unwavering faith in the process, we can help them develop into strong, capable disciples of Jesus Christ. Through this, they will not only achieve their goals but will also draw closer to Heavenly Father and grow in their ability to serve others.

Help their goals become a reality! Display this beautiful vision board for your child or youth's spiritual, social, physical & intellectual goals to reach for in the new children & youth Strive to Be program. We designed these especially for our children & youth to keep their goals in style!