Time is our most precious resource, but few of us know how to manage it properly: According to research, less than one in five people employ any formal time management system. In addition to having a detrimental impact on productivity, this lack of time management contributes to multiple physical and mental health concerns, including reduced sleep quality and higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Unfortunately, today’s children face numerous factors that make staying on track more challenging than it used to be. Kids are growing up in a hyper-connected world where information, entertainment, and online distractions, such as social media, are constantly competing for their attention. At the same time, the rise of remote and hybrid learning and work models is making it harder for kids and adults alike to maintain a consistent routine with a clear division between work and leisure time. As a result, most people feel like they’re constantly being bombarded by commitments, even though average work hours haven’t meaningfully increased over the last few decades.
As a parent, one of the most important things you can do to protect your child’s well-being is start teaching time management skills early. Helping your child learn to filter out distractions, set clear priorities, and make time for self-care will allow them to cope with the demands of the digital age and live a calmer, more purposeful life.
How Do You Teach Time Management?
To teach time management, you’ll first need to understand what it entails. Time management is defined as a structured system where projects, social commitments, and other tasks are organized by priority level. It includes both long-term and short-term goals and involves the use of tools (such as day planners or apps) to track activities. Effective time management allows us to meet our obligations without feeling rushed, pressured, or overwhelmed.
For young children, this process begins with having a predictable routine at home – One that includes a chore schedule, mealtimes, bedtimes, and time for relaxation. You can start introducing structure to your child’s life during infancy by feeding your child and putting them down for naps at the same time each day. For toddlers, establish the expectation of completing tasks on time by asking your child to do basic chores (such as picking up toys, brushing their teeth, or making the bed) at certain times. When your child is old enough to read, place a chore schedule on the fridge; this will help your child stay on track and show them how to use tools to organize their time.
What Are the Most Important Time Management Skills?
Time management is strongly connected to executive functioning skills, such as the ability to plan, remember, concentrate, and prioritize. Effective time management involves:
- For example, being able to break large projects down into smaller parts, accurately estimate how long tasks will take, and choose the best time to complete each task.
- Goal setting. Goal-setting is being able to create specific objectives, break goals down into measurable steps, and set a time frame for achieving each goal.
- Focus is the ability to filter out distractions until a task is finished.
- Planning and decision-making. Good planning and decision-making skills allow us to choose which tasks to prioritize, especially when balancing conflicting commitments.
- Setting boundaries. No one can manage their time effectively if they’re over-committed. As such, knowing when to say “no” is crucial to maintaining a realistic schedule.
How Do I Teach My Child Time Management Skills? 5 Tips For School-Aged Kids
During the early school years (grades K – 2) kids start learning the basics of time management, such as how to tell time, count, and read calendars. You can help your child build on these skills by using the following parenting techniques:
1. Encourage your child to get (and stay) organized.
As kids enter their school years, the number of items they have to keep track of each day increases. Preventing these items from getting misplaced will save time and help your child focus.
To help your child stay organized, make sure that everything they own (toys, clothes, books, etc.) has a place. Use organizational aids, like shelves and labelled bins, to create a clear system of order that’s easy for your child to follow. Ask your child to get into the habit of putting items away immediately after using them, and give praise to reinforce this behaviour.
For school supplies, create a checklist of everything your child needs to pack each day and pin it on the fridge. Run through the checklist with your child in the morning until he (or she) can get ready independently.
2. Use timers to help your child develop an accurate sense of time.
Whether you use a physical timer or an app, having kids complete chores and homework within a specific time frame is a great way to improve their time management skills. This method helps kids estimate how long tasks take and combats the urge to procrastinate.
For best results, treat timed activities like a game. For example, set a timer for 15 minutes and tell your child that they’ll get a reward if they tidy their entire room within that time.
With older school-aged children (grades 3 – 5), you can begin employing more advanced time management tools and techniques:
3. Let your child have input into their schedule.
As kids approach their preteen years, they start craving more control over their lives. By allowing your child to adjust their own schedule, you will increase the likelihood that they will stick to a routine.
To use this strategy, sit down with your child and outline their daily tasks. Set aside at least an hour at the end of the day to relax, then ask your child how they would like to divide up the rest of their time. For example, would your child prefer to do chores as soon as they get home or do their homework first? Discuss the pros and cons of each option until your child can confidently make the best choice.
4. Don’t protect your child from the consequences of poor time management.
As parents, we have a natural urge to “rescue” our children when they’re struggling, but this can work against their ability to learn. If you consistently protect your child from the consequences of failing to stay focused and organized, you’ll teach him that time management isn’t important.
When your child doesn’t study or complete homework on time, don’t do their schoolwork for them or make excuses to the teacher; let your child explain the situation or receive a poor grade. If your child repeatedly forgets to pack school books or supplies, don’t bring them in at lunch hour. Likewise, you should enforce fair consequences at home if your child neglects to complete chores on time.
5. Help your child plan out large projects.
Most kids start receiving long-term projects, like presentations and book reports, from grade 3 onward. Because these projects will increase in magnitude and complexity as your child progresses through middle and high school, it’s crucial to teach good planning skills early.
Kids often overestimate their ability to complete large projects quickly, so you should start by encouraging your child to set aside 15-20 minutes per day to work on long-term assignments. Then, discuss how they would like to tackle the project and use a chart, school planner, or graphic aid (such as “idea bubbles”) to create an outline. From there, you can teach your child how to conduct research (both online and using physical resources, like libraries) and help them purchase and organize supplies.
If your child falls behind on completing the project, don’t nag them. Some kids need to experience rushing to meet a deadline to understand the importance of pacing themselves.
Time Management For Kids with ADHD
Most children are capable of learning time management through trial and error, provided that their parents equip them with the right tools. For kids with ADHD, however, time management is significantly more challenging. ADHD impairs many of the executive functions – such as working memory, planning, and impulse control – that govern the ability to understand, measure, and effectively utilize time.
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD or you suspect that your child has ADHD, you’ll need to build on the strategies above with additional steps designed to help your child estimate time, stay organized, and filter out distractions. Some tips include:
- Reinforce sequencing. As you go about your daily routine, use sequencing words (like “before,” “first,” “then,” “next,” and “after”) to illustrate the order in which activities occur. Occasionally ask your child to repeat the order of activities back to you. This exercise will build the cognitive skills needed to set priorities and break tasks down into steps.
- Use weekly calendars. Monthly calendars can be overwhelming for kids with ADHD, who typically live in the “now.” Try using a weekly calendar instead, and include both the numerical and written date at the top of the calendar for reference.
- Introduce “to do” lists early. As soon as your child is old enough to read, help them make daily “to do” lists and check off completed items. The sense of accomplishment that accompanies marking tasks as complete will foster intrinsic motivation.
- Use guessing games to enhance your child’s ability to estimate time. Ask your child to guess how long it will take to complete simple tasks (like picking up toys, putting away clothing, or finishing a chapter of homework). Then, set a timer and compare your child’s guess to the actual time required. Reward your child whenever he makes a reasonably accurate guess.
How to Teach a Teenager Time Management
Teaching teens time management is challenging because kids in this age group need to learn how to handle their commitments independently to prepare for adulthood. Still, there are some proven strategies you can use to support your teen’s efforts to manage their time autonomously:
1. Create a “distraction-free” zone.
Teens are particularly susceptible to being distracted by social media, video games, and other online activities. To help your teen stay on track with schoolwork, set aside part of the home to serve as a dedicated study area. This area should be quiet, removed from family activities, and smartphone-free. If your teen’s study area includes a computer, use parental controls to restrict access to social media.
2. Work on setting priorities and limits.
During adolescence, the number of commitments kids have to balance increases substantially, between social engagements, homework, and extracurricular activities. Help your teen learn to set priorities and boundaries by discussing how to manage conflicting obligations, differentiate between things your teen wants to do and needs to do, and politely say “no” to avoid becoming over-committed.
3. Model good habits.
Set a positive example for your teen to teach time management skills without nagging or lecturing. Make an effort to be punctual, stick to a consistent schedule, set realistic goals, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Although it’s better to learn time management skills in early childhood, it’s never too late to improve your child’s planning and organizational abilities. Even small, gradual changes in time management can empower kids to excel at school, take better care of themselves, and pursue their goals – at any age.
