WHAT AND WHY
Time management is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities. Good time management enables you to work smarter, not harder, so that you get more done in less time, even when time is tight and pressures are high.
Time management requires you to think into the future to see what your job, the activity, the essay, etc. will look like when it is complete. This is a tricky task for some of our children, and even for some adults.
As a future thinker, we are visually seeing ourselves prepare for the task, organizing it into steps, seeing ourselves in action, completing the task, and then cleaning up after we are finished.
Sometimes there are road blocks or issues that arise while we are completing the task. This requires another skill. We must learn to be flexible, problem solve, and continue where we left off in order to get the job done.
Visual cues, a personal clock, To-Do lists, and planners are all great ways that we can help our child with their time management skills at home.
STRATEGIES TO USE
VISUALS TO SUPPORT AT HOME
VISUAL PICTURE CUES
These images can be used as visual cues to trigger expected behaviors throughout the day.
You can print, laminate, and cut out these images. Then add velcro to the back of each of them and place them onto the First/Then visual, or onto your visual schedule.
PRO TIP: Take pictures of your child in action! When you take pictures of your child showing the expected behavior, it can serve as a great way to get them back on track and complete tasks each day.
Print, laminate, cut, and velcro each of these images and place them on the visual schedule or the First/Then visual.
FIRST/THEN
First, Then.pdfYour child can use this as a visual schedule to keep them on track of assignments, or you can show your child the expected behaviors or activities they will be completing throughout the day.
PRO TIP: Use the visual picture cues to support your child with their visual schedule. Move the images onto the boxes as they transition through their day.
WORK BACKWARDS
4 C's.pdfPrint this visual out or download it as a PDF and type into the boxes.
PRO TIP: Print this out and have your child sketch and label their steps. Use this visual along with their weekly or monthly interactive calendar.
PHRASES TO TRY
"What's stealing away your time?"
"What can you do to pick up your pace?"
"Check your brain back in."
"Think with your eyes."
"Check your personal clock."
"What do you need to do to get ready?"
"What steps do you need to take to complete ________?"
"What will it look like when it's finished?"
"What do you need to do to get done with _________?"
QUICK TIPS AND TRICKS FOR RE-ENGAGING YOUR CHILD
Asking your child if they need a break is a great way for them to step away from the task at hand, regroup, take care of their needs, and then get back to work.
A break can be time to go for a walk, get a drink of water, eat a snack, listen to music, etc.
Together, create a list of things that your child can do when they need a break. After you have agreed on the things that they can do, have your child set a timer to take some time for themselves.
You can use phrases like:
" Do you need a break?"
"What does your brain/body need right now to be successful?"
"Would you like to go for a walk or go to your calm space?"
"Do you need a break for 5 minutes or 7 minutes?"
PRO TIP: Agree on a time limit for breaks with your child BEFORE they need them. This will allow break time to be a chance to relax and regain their focus, instead of another opportunity for a power struggle or confrontation. A time limit between 5-15 minutes is a perfect amount of time to take a break and then get back to work.
Please contact your school counselor for more information and individual assistance.