Teaching Children Time Management Techniques

School has started.  The mornings of sleeping in and nights of staying up are over.  The adjustment can be difficult the first weeks.  School starts the last week of August. No sooner do they start getting used to the "school schedule"  again, they have a three day weekend (Labor Day).  We have to begin all over.

Here are some tips for both you and the children to ease the stress levels that come with the return to school and teaches them life-long skills (in italics).

The night before:

1.  Homework.  Teach them to do their homework as soon as they finish their snack.  Memories are fresh and they are still in school mode. It gives you time to check it and for them to make necessary corrections.  Once finished, they will feel a sense of accomplishment and can then transfer to “play” mode.  It helps them understand the importance of completing this task.  It helps them make better decisions.  Remember to have them put the homework into their backpacks.  No running around looking for it or forgetting in the morning. (organization skills)

  

2.  Prepare next day's lunch.  Mornings can be so harried; you wind up throwing food together in a hurry.  Have them (help you) make their lunch.  It gives the opportunity to prepare healthier lunches and gives quality time for you to be together.  This will give you both extra minutes in the morning.

3.  Select / prepare their clothes:  Prepare or have the children pick out what they are going to wear the next day.  Have them watch the 5 or 6 o’clock weather forecast.  This gives them the information they need for their picks.  Clothes, shoes, accessories for girls (bows, earrings).  It  teaches them life-long learning planning skills.

4.  Iron clothes.  It takes time to set up the board, plug in the iron, wait for it to heat up, iron, unplug iron, pick up iron and board.  These 10 - 15 minutes are extra minutes you will gain in the morning. (scheduling skills)

5.  Sleep.  Too many kids are falling asleep in the classroom.  They are tired!  It is critical they get at least 8 hours sleep.  They are up early, they have a long day of learning, so make sure that 9 pm is sleep time (adjust depending on age).  Start at 8:45.  Have them take their bath, brush their teeth, go to the bathroom, read them a story, and then it's light's out.

Now, you have your time to do whatever it is you want or need to do and you know that tomorrow morning should be calm for both you and your children.  (stress management)