Teaching Kids Time Management

Well before your child can tell time, you can begin introducing strategies that teach her important life skills - how to be punctual and how to finish a project within a deadline.  Sounds strange….teaching your preschooler time and task management, but implementing some simple steps now will lay the foundation to develop these critical skills in your child as she grows. 

Keeping Your Child On-Time and On-Task

• Make your child a chart to help her build a routine.  Before my daughter started preschool at age 3, I created a simple grid-style chart with a morning, afternoon and evening routine; clip-art images illustrate each step in her routine.  I slipped the chart in a plastic protective sleeve and she checked off tasks with a washable marker as she completed them.  Before long, she could follow the routine without consulting her chart.  I still use stickers to track her progress and provide small rewards for meeting goals (an extra story at bedtime, a favorite meal for dinner, etc).  She has learned to be more independent, and we can get out the door in the morning and into bed in the evening on-time, with no nagging from Mom!  This method works well for older kids too with a more straight-forward, list format.

• Make it a game.  We all know kids like games, and many enjoy a friendly competition.  Be creative and you can keep your child motivated and focused on the task-at-hand, whether it’s getting ready for school or helping out with household chores.  Play beat the clock or “race” to see who can complete tasks first.

• Use a timer.  For those too young to tell time, buy an egg timer.  Set the timer, providing enough time for your child to complete a step in her routine, or any task you need her to complete.  Let her know how much time you are giving her to complete the task.  Listening to the ticking timer keeps their little minds in the present moment and on task.  They also begin to develop a concept of time, and how long it takes them to complete any given task.  When the timer buzzes, you’ll know when the time is up for that task and it’s time to move on to the next (so they can work independently).  Reset the timer for each task until she’s ready to go.  Cheer her on each step of the way.

• Offer a reward after the task is complete.  Let your child watch TV, play on the computer, color or play with a favorite toy if he gets ready early.

• Help your child manage projects.  When your child is assigned his first, long-term project, it’s time to teach him project management skills.   Sit down with him for a project planning session.    
  • Identify and discuss the steps needed to complete the project on time, including: 
    • selecting a topic
    • doing research
    • shopping or gathering necessary supplies
    • identifying discussion questions
    • drafting an outline
    • writing a rough draft
    • revising and completing the final draft
  • Explain that by identifying each step, you are breaking the project up into smaller, more manageable tasks.
  • Help your child estimate how much time he will need to complete each step.
  • Show your child how to create a project time line.
  • Set project milestones and put them on a calendar in your child’s homework area to help him keep on track with each project task.
  • Give your child recognition for meeting his project milestones.
  • Hold a little family celebration on the day your child completes the project.

Teaching your child task and time management skills will build his confidence, increase his level of independence and provide him with invaluable tools he will use throughout his life. 

For more tips on household organization, kids and back-to-school, see Organize Your Household for Back-to-School: Communications Central, Back-to-School: Organizing the Entry or Hall, Back-to-School: Setting Up a Homework Area, and Back-to-School: Creating a Kids Reading Corner.

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