Teaching Kids to Organize Their TIME

Every night, do you battle the question with your kids: “Have you finished this?” knowing full well, they have not accomplished everything they have to before bedtime? Helping kids organize their time and teaching time management skills at a young age CAN happen and IS feasible! Believe it or not, organizing is a LEARNED skill. Teaching children to make the most of their time at a young age, will only prepare them to take the initiative later on in life, to be able to do this on their own.

Where to begin?
I am going to share with you some practical and helpful tips on how to help kids get organized with their schedules and time. Some of these ideas may work better than others, but give them a try and see what your children react to the best!

1. Create a checklist: every night, have your children complete a routine, such as their homework, picking up their toys, getting their school bags ready, brushing their teeth, etc.

2. Help your kids discover time management skills – before they can go and play with friends, they have to finish “this”. Before they can watch a favorite tv show, they have to get their homework done. You don’t want your children to rush through their homework, but if they know that EVERYDAY they have to finish it before they can watch tv, they will be determined to do so (the priorities of a child!)

3. Create a consistent study place, such as the kitchen table. This way you are most likely available if they have questions and they are able to spread their homework out. Little do they know too, that when they are distracted, a watchful eye (YOU), will catch them and keep them on task!

4. When they are doing their homework, everyday ask them what homework they have. You could even take it a step further (depending on their age) and go through their assignments with them.

5. Have a calendar in your home that everyone can read and understand. If you have a weekly calendar that you use, have your kids sit nearby as you fill it out and purposefully ask them what they have coming up. This helps them take ownership of their schedule (even if you know the answer to this simple question).

6. When filling out the calendar, if your child has a project that is going to take a while, put the due date on the calendar. This assures you AND them, that it will get done. It is a helpful reminder to the child that working ahead is a tool that they will use the rest of their life!

7. Finally, have your child pack their school bag the night before. Working in a school, it is amazing the number of items that are forgotten at home each day! Help your child think about the day ahead and what they might need. Don’t tell them – ask them. This again, gives ownership. Also, have a consistent place where they can keep their school bag, instrument, lunch, etc.