Time Management Strategies for Kids
7 Strategies for Time Management
Here are five simple but effective strategies to help your child manage their time.
1. Provide access to clocks and watches Help your child stay aware of the time by placing clocks in key areas of your home, such as the kitchen, living room, and their bedroom. Providing a wristwatch gives them a tool to monitor time throughout the day without needing to rely on their phone, which can become a source of distraction. These simple tools make tracking time and staying on schedule easier for your child. Developing the habit of checking the time especially before and during important tasks could help build time awareness.
2. Create a distraction-free space Set up an environment at home with minimal distractions (e.g., noise, electronics, clutter) where your child can focus on school-related responsibilities. For example, if your child is working on homework, set up a designated desk with only the needed materials, such as pencils, paper, and a calculator. A distraction-free environment helps them stay on task and complete their work more efficiently.
3. Use alarms and timers to manage transitions Introduce alarms or timers to signal the start and end of important tasks or transitions throughout the day. Show your child how to set recurring alarms to remind them when to begin their homework or take a break. These tools create a sense of structure and help your child allocate time appropriately for each part of their day.
4. Practice time chunking for tasks Time chunking involves breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and allocating a specific amount of time to each step. Teach your child to divide their work into chunks, such as spending 15 minutes brainstorming ideas for a writing assignment, 20 minutes drafting, and another 10 minutes reviewing their work. Allow for some flexibility in the time allocated to each chunk so they don’t feel rushed or pressured. Time chunking makes tasks feel less overwhelming and provides a clear roadmap for completing them.
5. Teach time estimation Before your child starts a task, ask them to guess how long they think it will take. Then, use a timer to track the actual time they spend on it. Afterward, compare their estimate to the result and discuss any differences. Time estimation helps your child improve how they gauge the time they spend on each task.
6. Acknowledge the Role of Anxiety
Procrastination is a significant barrier to effective time management. Contrary to widespread knowledge, procrastination is not about laziness or being stubborn. It is often fueled by anxiety. Fear of failure, perfectionism, or feeling overwhelmed by the scope of a task can lead to avoidance. While classic time management strategies like strict schedules work for some, they can feel too rigid or even exacerbate anxiety for others. If this happens, exploring alternative, more flexible approaches may be beneficial. Mindfulness practices such as
7. Go with the Flow Adopting a more intuitive approach to time management can alleviate pressure and reduce resistance to starting tasks. This method focuses on aligning activities with natural energy levels, moods, or interests, rather than forcing productivity into rigid structures. The goal is to reduce the mental load of starting tasks by using flexible methods like periodic breaks or rotating tasks based on interest and mood. When all else fails, offer your child a more sustainable and anxiety-friendly approach to managing their time.
How can HabitCoach help?
Our personalized programs are designed to teach techniques tailored to your child’s unique executive function strengths and challenges. These strategies are easy to implement at home and help your child build a consistent routine for managing time effectively.
