In the kitchen, Roberto stared at the clock, fingers tapping impatiently on the countertop. His son, Carlos, came in with his backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Hey, Dad, guess what? I finished my science assignment!" Carlos announced cheerfully.
Roberto’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Carlos, that was due three weeks ago!"
"Yeah, but I was busy with practicing for All State," Carlos replied, unfazed.
Roberto sighed deeply, trying to keep his cool. "Carlos, you are going to lose points for turning it late."
"But I included extra diagrams!" Carlos protested, spreading out his project on the kitchen table.
Roberto looked at the elaborate display of colorful charts. "Carlos, it's great that you put in so much effort, but next time, let's try to finish things on time, okay?"
Carlos nodded eagerly. "Sure, Dad. By the way, I need a poster board for my history project due tomorrow!"
Roberto facepalmed, realizing the cycle of late-night poster board runs was about to continue.
If you have a child like Carlos who seems to struggle in some areas of executive function such as planning and prioritizing, organization, and time management, it’s natural to worry about their school performance. You may be concerned that this habit of turning things in late might continue into college and their professional career.
Children with ADHD who commonly struggle with executive dysfunction face more significant homework difficulties compared to their peers. But ADHD or not, it’s important to find strategies to help them stay on track and manage deadlines better.
How to Prevent Your Child from Turning in Assignments Late
Understand Why This is Happening
Start by creating a safe space for your child to express their thoughts and feelings about schoolwork. Take some time to understand the underlying reasons, such as perfectionism, poor time management, difficulty focusing, lack of motivation, or finding the assignment too challenging. You may ask questions like:
“Do you have any assignments due this week? Do you need help with them?”
“What do you find most difficult about your assignments?”
“Is there a reason why you turned in your assignment late?”
Asking these questions opens a line of communication where they can share their struggles related to this problem.
Highlight Important Due Dates on Their Organization Tool
Teach your child to use digital apps or a planner, calendar, whiteboard, sticky notes, or other organizational tools to keep them on track. These tools can help your child manage their schoolwork, deadlines, and significant due dates.
Sticky notes can be used to highlight priorities, urgent tasks, and short-term to-dos. Placing them on their desk or computer can keep tasks front and center. When students are organized, they complete assignments on time and avoid missing important deadlines.
Emphasize the Consequences of Turning in Assignments Late
Help your child understand the broader implications of turning in assignments late. Assignments are typically spread throughout the year to maintain a manageable pace. When assignments are not submitted on time, they can accumulate, leading to increased stress and a feeling of being overwhelmed. Late assignments can also affect participation grades and can mean missing out on valuable feedback.
Check In
Start by making regular check-ins a part of your daily routine. During conversations about their school day, include questions about their homework and assignments. Frequently log into their student account or learning management system to keep track of upcoming deadlines and assignments. This helps you stay informed about their workload. If their school offers notifications for upcoming assignments or deadlines, set these up to ensure you don't miss any important dates. While this may seem like a lot of work initially, it can set your child up for success. It also provides a good opportunity to model effective organizational skills. Over time, you can gradually step back as they develop their own routines and become more self-sufficient.
Establish a Routine
Set aside specific times each day for homework and study sessions, such as right after school or before dinner. Keeping these time blocks consistent helps create a habit. Consistency allows children to internalize the routine, making studying a natural part of their day over time. The more they follow the routine, the more seamlessly it becomes integrated into their daily life.
Don’t wait until the next assignment is due. Start implementing these strategies now to help your child stay organized and turn in their work on time. If you'd like more tips and strategies on how to prevent your child from turning in assignments late, Habit Coach is here to help!
