The new year is a great time to set goals and plan for progress. Whether your child is new to cheerleading or working on advanced tumbling, having clear goals helps them stay motivated and excited. Let’s talk about how to set simple, meaningful goals for success in the coming year.

Reflect on Last Year:

Start by looking back. Ask your child:
What skills did they improve?
What did they love most about cheerleading or tumbling?
What was hard for them?

This helps them see their progress and figure out what to work on next.

Set Clear, Doable Goals:

Make sure the goals are specific and realistic. For example:
Instead of "Get better at tumbling," try "Learn to land a back handspring by summer."
Instead of "Be more flexible," try "Practice splits for 10 minutes every day."

Small, clear goals are easier to focus on and track.

Break Big Goals into Steps:

If the goal feels big, break it into smaller pieces. For example, learning a back handspring might include:

Practicing core exercises at home.
Attending a tumbling class weekly.
Working on handstand drills.

Small steps build confidence and keep things manageable.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection:

Improvement takes time. Remind your child that mistakes are part of learning. Celebrate small wins, like getting closer to a skill or trying something new.

Balance Skills and Personal Growth:

Cheerleading is about more than skills. Encourage goals like:

Being a good teammate.
Staying positive during tough practices.
Keeping up with school while practicing regularly.

These goals help your child grow as an athlete and a person.

Track Progress:

Help your child keep track of what they’ve done. They can use a notebook or app to log practices and wins. Seeing progress written down is a great motivator.

Celebrate Along the Way:

Don’t wait for the big goal to celebrate.
Cheer them on when they hit milestones or try hard.
Small celebrations keep them excited and motivated.

The new year is a fresh start for cheerleading and tumbling goals. With simple steps and steady progress, your child can achieve amazing things this year. Cheer them on and remind them that every small step counts.