Use these printable goal-setting sheets in a classroom, nurture group, counselling session or at home by asking a child to choose one small behaviour they want to practise, colour the matching cat and write the number in the box. The cat illustrations make the activity feel light, while the goals focus on everyday emotional, social and self-care skills.
Children get a simple, visual way to pick one achievable personal goal rather than feeling overwhelmed by a long list of expectations. Each page presents nine cat-themed choices, with a clear instruction to choose one thing to work on, colour that cat and record its number.
The goals cover practical social and emotional learning skills, including using kind words, asking for help, staying calm, learning from mistakes, telling the truth, listening, taking turns, saying sorry, thinking before acting and noticing feelings. Other prompts support resilience, confidence and self-esteem, such as trying again after a bad day, being proud of who I am, doing my best rather than being perfect, speaking up and giving myself time to learn.
Several pages also focus on routines and self-regulation, including taking care of the body, drinking water, resting when a break is needed, waiting patiently, using a calm voice, asking for space and keeping hands to myself. Children can also choose goals around friendship and empathy, such as letting others join in, cheering people on, noticing when someone needs kindness and being a good friend.
The format is especially suited to primary school children, younger children in pastoral support, children in social work or family support sessions, and pupils who benefit from concrete, low-pressure wellbeing activities. It could be used as a weekly target sheet, a calm corner activity, a start-of-session check-in, a home-school wellbeing task or a positive behaviour support prompt.
Because the activity asks for just one goal, adults can use it to start a focused conversation about what the child wants to practise and what support might help. The playful colouring element can make goal setting more accessible for children who find written reflection, behaviour targets or emotional literacy worksheets difficult.
