There are 3 easy methods to teach your child effective time management. These are: by teaching your child how to tell time; by teaching your child how to set priorities; and by showing your child that managing time is fun.
We’ve all been children before, so we know that some hardcore beliefs that we’ve decided to keep our entire lifetime had been passed on to us by our parents at an early age in our lives. We might even have forgotten when they actually first started telling us this and that, but we’re sure they’ve been doing so for as long as we can remember. Time management skills might just be what he needs to cope better in life when he’s grown. So how can you effectively teach your child this skill?
By teaching your child how to tell time
Teach your child early on to tell time. If you want your child to learn how to manage time, then this is the first step. Other than the advantage of being introduced early to numbers as well, your child will become more responsible and disciplined when he knows how to tell time and why it’s important. Use a clock with the three hands rather than a digital clock because your child might be bored with the latter. Choose a large one with attractive designs to make it more fun. For example, when your child asks for ice cream, tell him he can have one at four o’clock. Then show him the numbers where the hands should point at this time (You’ll also be teaching him patience through this.). As he asks for more things, he’ll have the idea that activities are done at different times during the day.
By teaching your child how to set priorities
As is always said, there are always more things to do than there is enough time to do all of them. This can be true even for a child. By teaching your child how to set his priorities, he’ll know how to divide his time among his different activities; he’ll know where to spend more time on, and where to spend little. You can teach your child this by using the reward principle. If he finishes his home work first, he will have the remaining time before bedtime entirely for television. But if he wants television first, he would have to watch only until a certain time, regardless if he’s watching a favorite show. Sometimes also, you might find your child having a dilemma between doing two school projects. Ask him which one he finds more difficult and advise him to do that one first. This way, he won’t dread doing the second project because he’ll know it’ll be easier. Always make your child see the advantages of wise choices; he’ll carry this skill until the time he starts making decisions for himself.
By showing your child that managing time means fun
You should never left this part out. If you allow sufficient time to be allotted for playing, entertainment, and doing the things your child enjoys, this will ensure that he knows you mean well and that you’re not simply making his childhood miserable. This is true for all the other things you want to teach your child; if you want your child to really accept the lessons you’re teaching him, it is always imperative that you let him see the fun part of it. Also, this is important for your child to learn how to balance responsibility and relaxation, which will ultimately make him the well-rounded individual that you want him to be.
As a parent, consulting a time management e-book might help in further honing your kid’s time management skills.
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