Bright futures utilising SMART Targets for Student Development

• Specific: SMART targets should be precise and unambiguous, leaving no room for misinterpretation. They answer the questions: What do we want to accomplish? Why is it important? Who is involved? Where will it happen? When will it be achieved?
• Measurable: Measurability is key to tracking progress. SMART targets should include criteria for assessing whether the goal has been met. This could involve numbers, percentages, or other quantifiable measures.
• Achievable: Goals should be realistic and attainable, given the resources and time available. It’s important to set the bar high enough to challenge but not too high to demotivate.
• Relevant: SMART targets must align with broader objectives. They should be meaningful and tied to the person’s or group’s needs and aspirations. Relevance keeps everyone motivated.
• Time-bound: SMART targets should have a deadline. This creates urgency and helps prevent the target from dragging on indefinitely.

In a one-on-one setting, SMART targets are incredibly useful. Here’s how to use them effectively:

The list below includes various objectives, each tailored to different aspects of personal development. They are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, making them excellent examples of SMART targets.

• By the end of this month, [Child’s Name] will learn two coping skills and demonstrate their ability to apply them when prompted by an adult.
• Within two months, [Child’s Name] will identify and recognise five positive qualities or strengths within themselves and actively utilise these as affirmations when guided by an adult.
• By the end of this school term, [Child’s Name] will learn to identify when they are feeling angry, understand how this emotion affects their body, and express these feelings verbally to an adult.
• By the end of this month, [Child’s Name] will identify and discuss three things they like and dislike doing when asked.
• [Child’s Name] will identify and discuss at least three of their strengths and talents when asked.
• [Child’s Name] will confidently communicate activities or skills they excel at when prompted by the end of the term.
• [Child’s Name] will recognise five of their triggers for anger when asked by the end of the session.
• [Child’s Name] will be able to describe at least two physical sensations they experience when angry if prompted.

In conclusion, SMART targets are invaluable tools for supporting individuals and groups in their personal development journey. By setting clear, actionable, and realistic objectives, you create a roadmap to success and growth. In one-on-one or group settings, SMART targets offer the structure and direction needed to achieve desired outcomes.