The Importance of Learning Time Management
We live in a fast paced world, and no matter what line of work people enter into, the ability to appropriately manage time and responsibilities is essential. Making sure that kids are prepared for this reality is a growing concern for parents, care takers, and educators. It is often amazing how one individual seems to naturally take to planning, while another individual struggles, which raises the question, how do kids learn planning skills?
Learning to Schedule Time
There are varying approaches to teaching kids how to schedule time. An increasing number of public schools are now supplying all students, even those in kindergarten, with student planners and teaching them to use these as early as possible. There are even, in some cases, penalties for not using them. This is just one approach to this issue, and like all methods, there are those that are opposed to it. Many feel that hoisting these planning tools onto children too young to fully understand them or use them will result in disregard for them later on when they will truly be needed.
Set a Good Example
Not enough can be said for the importance of setting a good example. Younger children absorb more of what goes on around them than most people give them credit for. They look up to their parents. They see their parents or other adult role models using planning tools and calendars, then they pick up on that and know that's how everything gets done. This is part of how kids learn planning skills at early ages.
As they get into upper elementary grades, the use of student planners for kids becomes more appropriate. This is generally about the same age that children start being more involved in extracurricular activities. In other words, this is about the age that time management becomes an issue. School is a responsibility, but so is helping at home and contributing in some way to family life (so is the soccer team, scouts, and school clubs). While this seems like a lot, it is also very much in line with what the average kid has on his or her plate. Learning at this stage how to use a student planner is a good step to take.
Involve Your Child in Buying a Planner
Buying a planner for your kid and then handing it over without giving guidance or instruction is the equivalent to not providing a student planner at all. The child should be involved in choosing the planner. Different manufacturers utilize different set ups, and not all of them work for everyone; that's why there is variety. Once one is selected, be sure to go over it daily with your child until he or she is secure in using it appropriately to manage time and satisfy responsibilities. Once flying solo with a planner, make sure that if there are questions or stumbling blocks your child knows that he or she can still come to you for help in the matter. How do kids learn planning skills? With a good example and ample guidance.
