As an educator I have witnessed time and time again students not getting a paper in on time, not studying enough because it was put off till the night before, parents repeatedly yelling at their kids to do their work and stop being “lazy”—but really it all comes down to Time Management. Time management is being able to be productive and efficient with ones time, and know how to prioritize it.
It is important to remember that time management is a learned habit, meaning we are not born with this ability and it needs to be patiently taught. We also need to remember that not everyone has the same capacity to manage the amount of work and activities expected in a young persons life. Feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, ADHD, slow processors—these are all real things that may require a little extra patience, flexibility, and time. Of course who has the patience when there is no time!? And in a circle we go.
Ideally learning time management skills starts in childhood, setting aside short chunks of time for putting away toys etc. As they get a little older time management can be taught in more fun ways.
Make calendars and time charts with stickers, colors, glitter, and fun magnets. Why not try apps? And yes, have rewards for goals achieved! Set timers and make games—‘How fast can you do it?’ ‘How long do you think you have left?’ Have them verbally countdown with you. This is for time awareness so they start getting a sense of it. Family calendars are also fun-this breeds an awareness of other peoples time and how everyone is taking an active part in the household.
The 2 most important aspects of time management for kids:
1. Prioritizing— help small kids by using simple phrases like First, Next, Last. Help them map out the day from beginning to end to understand the concept—in other words what are the most important things to do in a day ie; get dressed, brush your teeth. Then start looking from daily, to weekly, to monthly.
2. Allow breathe time. Over scheduling activities and then not scheduling free time is detrimental. The down time allows the brain and body to digest, we learn better when we have some space for self. The constant pressure and go teaches a life of stress, and lends to the feeling of ‘never being enough’ which has the opposite effect of efficiently managing. Teens especially are prone to giving up under an over pressurized schedule.
And now, let’s talk about the Teens.
If possible avoid falling into the trap of telling your teen to do homework over and over, aside from adding to their feeling of stress and rebellion, it also reduces their responsibilities and doesn’t teach them accountability. It may be more productive all around to help your teen feel a sense of agency with how to manage their time.
1. Let them have some control
Find out what your teens goals are that they want to reach (this doesn’t mean just schoolwork, it could be practicing an instrument or exercising.) Then set up a plan with your teen on the best way to achieve those goals.Every person has times in the day when they feel most productive—help your teen to identify their rhythm. It’s ok if they want a 20 minute power nap after school if it will help them regroup. After the nap maybe their evening is broken into timed sections —they will know what works best for them.
2 . Keeping it calm
One of the biggest killers of time management is feeling overwhelmed and stressed. There is self pressure to be better and there is pressure from external schedules. This is where and why prioritizing is key. Talk to them about the possibility of starting assignments earlier, letting go of some extra curricular, talking to teachers about extensions, figuring out what the MOST important assignments or tests are. This also pertains to their social enagagements. Teens are not always able to see how one thing affects another and what the consequence may be, so help them talk it through.
3. Early starts
Procrastination may appear as irresponsibility but again maybe your teen just doesn’t know how to approach things any other way. Give them some tools; set timers, use alerts, give some form of affirmation when they are early with their work or even on time! One thing that may be effective is having an earned technology time. If they are able to get ready and do their work early it will give them some extra technology time to enjoy. —Though I suggest limiting the technology as it is a big distraction!
4. Workspace
Where we do our work can create distractions or give us peace. Take time with your teen to set up a work space. If they help set it up they can feel some pride in it. Use diaries, and whiteboards, calendars and color coded organizers, whatever helps their brain to stay organized and energized to work. Give them a comfortable, organized and clean place to work. And let it be theirs—no siblings running through and other outside interferences.
Time management is not the most fun life lesson to teach but certainly an important one—and remember you deserve to schedule a little time out for you as well.
