Being a parent is not easy. There are countless things for which parents are responsible. When it comes to raising kids, teaching them different skills is important. Time management is one of the skills that parents must teach their kids. But the question comes, how to teach time management to kids? Continue reading to learn more about time management and kids:
How to teach time management to kids?
“Come on, hurry up.” “Can you tell me what time it is?” “All right, let’s go.” “What took you so long?” Do you ever feel like you’re raising a bunch of slackers who have no concept of time? The good news is that even the youngest children can learn how to manage their time so that they (and you) can get everything done. Try these tips to teach kids time management:
#1 Make time management fun:
Learning time management should be enjoyable for children. Make your own calendars with crayons. You can mark special occasions with stickers. Make it a game to see who can finish simple household tasks that normally take a long time, such as brushing their teeth, putting on their shoes, or getting their backpacks ready for school the next day.
The more enjoyable you make time management for your children, the easier it will be for them to understand the value of time and how to manage that never-ending clock.
#2 Start early:
The earlier you start teaching time management to your little ones, the better it will be for them and the easier your days will be.
Small tasks completed in short periods of time, such as putting on clothes or cleaning up toys, can help your preschoolers learn. Your school-aged children can start with set start and end times for homework and simple age-appropriate chores around the house.
#3 Teach Your Children How to Measure Time:
It is one of the best tips to teach kids time management. Children who understand how to tell time may not know how to measure time. Set a timer during a time when they are supposed to be completing a task to assist them. Keep a clock nearby and give them a verbal countdown as the minutes pass so they can get a feel for these time segments.
You’re not teaching your children to live by the clock. Your goal is to simply assist them in comprehending what an hour, 15 minutes, or even five minutes feels like. When you say, “We’re leaving in five minutes,” they’ll realize you don’t mean they have time to play with their toys, watch TV, or clean their room first.
#4 Make a family calendar together:
Family calendars serve as a road map for everyone’s commitments in your home. With one glance, you can tell which of your children has scouts on Monday, basketball on Tuesday, and gymnastics, karate, and choir practice on Wednesday.
The entire family should be involved in developing the one document that will keep you all on track. Banner paper is ideal for creating family calendars because it can be drawn, colored, or painted on. Make it a family art project, so everyone knows who has what commitments on which days. Color code your calendar, so each person’s schedule has its own color. This simple activity allows children to see days at a time in one place, which helps them understand what goes into keeping your family on track. Another advantage is that you can use your planning activity to maximize family time together.
#5 Always stay on task:
When the kids are getting along so well, giving them a few more minutes of playtime is tempting. Or there are days when you want the kids to spend more time studying, even though your time management plan requires them to begin getting ready for bed at 7:00.
Maintain focus while your children are still learning about time management. When the timer goes off, move on to the next task on your list, regardless of how involved they are in the current task. Even a few minutes away from the schedule can throw children off. Stick to your schedule, especially in the early days and weeks of learning to manage your time.
Takeaway:
Time management for children may appear difficult, but it is beneficial to instill this life skill in them at a young age. Focusing on these steps when completing schoolwork is a good place to start, as other tasks will most likely fall into place as the process progresses. Being able to manage time as a child will make them feel less overwhelmed, which will lead to them feeling more accomplished and confident in completing tasks in all areas of life.
