For kids, Summer is known for swimming pools, ice cream trucks, family vacations, and all the other fun things they don’t get to do during the school year. However, amidst the exciting circuit of nonstop activity, Summer is also a golden opportunity for kids to build lifelong success skills. Among the most powerful of these? Goal setting and achievement.
While the school year often feels packed with assignments, tests, and structured routines, Summer opens up space for kids to think big, act intentionally, and discover what they’re capable of. Here’s why summer is the ideal season to help children become confident goal-setters and motivated achievers:
More Free Time
During the school year, children’s schedules are often packed with academic commitments and extracurriculars, leaving little time for self-directed growth. Summer flips the script. With fewer formal obligations, kids have the mental space and flexibility to start taking ownership of their own goals—whether it’s reading a certain number of books, picking up a new hobby, or working toward a martial arts milestone.
This sense of ownership is key. When kids set their own goals and take steps to reach them, they build intrinsic motivation, decision-making abilities, and personal accountability. It’s not just about finishing a summer reading list—it’s about learning to take charge over their own development and success.
2 girls share a smile during MPAMA’s Annual Summer Picnic.
Fresh Environments
Summer naturally brings a change in scenery. Whether your child is at camp, spending more time outdoors, or just enjoying a slower daily routine, new environments offer a new perspective, and fuel fresh thinking. This change of pace and scenery provides fertile ground for kids to reflect, dream, and imagine what they want to accomplish next.
When kids are in a fresh headspace, they’re more likely to explore new interests and challenge themselves in ways they might not when they’re locked into a rigid daily routine during the school year. Setting a summer goal lets kids tap into this creative energy and channel it toward something concrete and meaningful.
A teen student tries a new battle ropes exercise as her peers in class encourage her.
Small Wins
Summer goals don’t have to be grandiose or overly-ambitious. In fact, they are often bite-sized, which makes them more manageable—and that’s a good thing! When kids set small, achievable goals and succeed, they experience the powerful momentum of progress. Whether it’s completing a weekly chore chart, attending all their martial arts classes for the month, or learning to tie their belt independently, each success—no matter the size—builds confidence and encourages them to aim higher next time.
This process teaches a valuable lesson: big goals are reached one step at a time. When kids learn to break things down, stay consistent, and celebrate the journey, they’re developing a mindset that will stick with them for life.
4 classmates pose with smiles and thumbs up during their belt test.
The MPAMA Way
At MPAMA, we believe that goal setting is more than a task—it’s a skill. That’s why our programs are designed to empower kids with structure, encouragement, and achievable milestones during the Summer. Whether your child is working toward their next belt, participating in our Summer read-a-thon, or setting personal bests in sparring or forms, we guide them with clarity and motivation every step of the way.
We teach our students how to set goals that are specific, measurable, and meaningful—and then help them build the habits and discipline to achieve them. With strong role models, consistent check-ins, and a community that celebrates progress, MPAMA makes summer the perfect season for success!
Conclusion
Summer may feel like a break, but it can also be a breakthrough. Helping kids learn how to set and achieve goals during the summer sets the foundation for a lifetime of success—in school, sports, friendships, and beyond. When children realize they have the power to dream, act, and accomplish, they don’t just grow in skills—they grow in confidence and character.
So this summer, let’s encourage our kids not just to relax and recharge—but to rise. After all, the habits they build today become the victories they carry into tomorrow.