Time management is a very important life skill that we should all have. Don’t underestimate certain skills and assume they are being taught in school. Many parents assume that skills such as manners, budgeting, and time management are part of the school’s duties to teach when in reality there’s only so much time in school and not everything can be covered in those hours. Time management skills are needed in all aspects of life and many of us struggle to keep up with errands and work tasks not because we are lazy but more because of our lack of ability to time-manage properly. So, how can you teach these important skills to your child?
Sticking to a routine is the first step to getting organised. Having a routine and sticking to daily habits will make your children feel safe and stable as they will be able to predict their day. Try to create routines and provide structure throughout the day examples are morning routines, after-school routines, and bedtime routines. As your children get older, they will be able to carry out more and more tasks in these routines until they finally complete the routine all by themselves and follow through with it.
You are their role model. We tend to shift a lot of blame on others for not being good role models for our kids but tend to forget we are the main role model. If you are always running late for events or work and always forgetting important things because you don’t follow a schedule, it will be harder for your children to follow their schedules. It is never too late to learn some time management skills so do consider writing out to-do lists and important dates to remember.
Don’t expect too much. They are kids so expect them to not stick to a schedule or run late in the morning routine. Maybe they forgot to pack their bag thus creating a bit of morning panic. These things are normal! A one-off mistake is bound to happen and if you see it becoming a habit just try to put them back on the right track. For example, you could remind them the night before to pack their bag for the morning.
Teach children to tell the time! Yes, they will probably learn this in school but it’s quite surprising how many children struggle to tell the time. Start off by giving time limits to tasks for example give them 15 minutes to clean up or tell them that they have half an hour to get ready in the morning before they have to be out the door.
The last thing is making it fun! Children learn by having fun, making things a game, or making fun to-do lists that they get to check off once they complete a task.
Here are some important phrases you can use when your child is misbehaving:
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