Time Management With Newborn Tips: Juggling Responsibilities

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Well, it’s true that no matter if it’s a child or an adult, time management is equally important for anyone. It’s an important life skill that helps in learning how to use time well, and it should be learned as early as it can be possible. 

However, to help kids to know how they can learn about this skill and what can help them, here is an ultimate guide for help. 

Why It’s Important For Kids To Learn Time Management? 

Work-life balance is as important for kids as much as it is for adults. Also, it’s good that they start to learn as soon as possible. 

Here are some of the points why you should be focusing on the kids to learn time management. 

  • It’s good for kids to learn about time management at an early stage, so they know how to manage their time. It will help them in their adult life. 
  • When they grow up, they will have much more experience in knowing how to manage their time.
  • Also, kids have a lot of activities, especially in their primary and middle school. They need time management alone to keep things in one way to achieve them. 
  • Kids also need to juggle a lot of commitments regardless of school, assignments, sports, projects, and extracurricular activities, so they know how to manage it. 
  • It helps in realizing time management can help in making different lives more efficient. 
  • It can help in stay less stressed out, have much more control over their emotions, and waste fewer resources. 
  • Time management also to learn how to divide their time per task.
  • Kids also learn how to prioritize their tasks. 
  • It helps in improving the skill of analysis in kids. 
  • This, it enables them to complete their multiple tasks within a short period.
  • It helps in reducing the stress related to work and personal life.

Easy Way To Teach Kids About Time Management

For kids, it’s difficult for them to understand why time management is needed. Also, are you aware if they know the meaning behind sentences like they will be late for school or need to wake up early?

If it’s a difficult concept for them, imagine how hard it will help them learn time management. 

However, when it comes to helping them learn time management, it’s best to teach them the importance of it. 

As Stephen Covey mentioned strategy in his book Strategies Of Time Management which focuses on prioritizing, he shares a simple way that you can use too. 

According to that, he gives tasks an order which is simple, and kids do better work when things are simple, 

And to know what can help you keep things simple, here are some activities for kids to learn about time management. 

Ask The Kids To Make Their Calendar 

A simple activity that can help is stopping learning how to create their own calendar that has a list of dates. But it also works as a kid’s planner. 

When they have their own calendar, they can better understand about the importance of timelines and days. 

Well, to create one, you will need the following: 

  • 13 sheets of paper of 10 x 20 ( Length x Width), use different colors for each month 
  • Select different pencils, color pens, and crayons
  • Stencils for numbers and alphabet 
  • 12” scale 
  • Stickers and decorative items 

Once you have all the items ready, here is how you can start : 

  • Draw the table of 7 x 5 ( columns x rows) on the sheet and measure, which should be at least an inch similar to the chessboard. 
  • On the sheet, write the name, months, and days, and then add the numbers in those boxes which denote the dates.
  • When 12 sheets and months are ready, use stickers or decorative items such as cartoon characters on their sheets. 
  • After it’s done, stick those sheets together or staple them in the left corner. 

Here is how the kids can learn to make their own calendars. But after this, here is what they need to do next. 

  • On the 13th sheet of paper, we will discuss and make short of a list including things that kids do on a daily basis; it can include their studying, playing, attending co-curricular classes, etc. 
  • Note the dates, mentioning things they need to do on the calendar. 
  • Keep the keywords simple, so they can be easy to understand, such as art class, football class, studying, playing, etc. 
  • Talk to kids to plan their day and mention it down on a date 

10 Minutes For The Brushing Teeth 

One thing that a personal calendar can add but with a twist you can use it to add the daily basis work. And it will help the kids in knowing of things they need to do, and when they waste time, it will show on the chart. 

Here is what you will need : 

  • Choose a chart of any color. 
  • Pencil and notebook 
  • Color pencils and crayons 

Well, once you are done, the next thing you should do is to list the number of things that the kid needs on a daily basis, including bathing, brushing teeth, packing,  eating food, etc.

  • Let the child denote their timeline for their daily work; for example, if they want to brush, keep it for 10 minutes,  5 minutes for drinking milk, etc. 
  • Check the time allocated for each activity, as they don’t understand how much they need, so you can use a stopwatch or clock for help.
  • Transfer the list, which is final on the chart, with the help of using crayons and pencils. 
  • Also, let them use stickers that they can use on the chart.

Well, it will help your kids to refer to the chart while they do the work, and it will help in doing mundane activities more fun. 

Use Hourglass For Make It Fun To Learn 

Well, one of the oldest techniques which are used for telling time can also help you in managing time well 

Here you will need the following: 

  • A thick plastic string which should be 5 x5
  • Piece of string 
  • Pair of scissors
  • Superglue
  • Dry beach or garden sand

After this, you will need the following: 

  • Roll the plastic sheeting into the shape of a cylinder and use glue to make sure it sticks and is secure.
  • Once the glue dries completely, hold the cylinder and tie the string in the middle using the string. 
  • It should look like two cones that are joined from the tip; also, when you are trying, make sure it’s not too tight as it needs room so the sand can pass. 
  • Use cardboard for cutting into circles and measure the diameter of the cones.
  • Stick the cardboard to one side and then the next, it will help in standing up the hourglass without any support. 
  • From the one side, pour the sand, at least keep it 50 gm and then secure it 
  • Keep it until everything gets dry, and you are ready with an hourglass. 

With this method, you can make your own hourglass which can help the kid. and for that, you can use this : 

  • The first thing, the hourglass is a thrilling mechanism that works for kids. 
  • Once you are done with it you can also use the stopwatch.
  • Share it with kids to get the work done until the sand empties from one side to another. 

Close The Task 

Well, one of the games that you can help in making time management interesting. Here it gets you to the point for completing the work and respecting the time. 

For this, here is what you need : 

  • Use the activity books or worksheet 
  • Along with stationery such as pencils, crayons, and colored pencils. 

Well, what you need to do : 

  • Assign the page of the worksheet or activity book to the kid and one to you. 
  • Assign the timeline for the particular task or activity on the page; it can be ten minutes for doing it. 
  • Time the kid for completing the page and also the time for yourself too.
  • Well,  those who complete the task in the shortest span will win the game.
  • The twist is that both people have to complete the task in order to move to the next one. 

How To Help Kids To Be Better In Time Management? 

For learning time management, it’s important for kids to learn about the organization and prioritizing.

However, learning these skills can be difficult for them and it needs to be more practiced. 

And for that, here are some of the tips that can help in time managing the kids. 

Talk About The Changing Seasons 

It’s important that the kids have the knowledge of time management, but first, they should know what time is. 

It is difficult to do the interpretation of time, so it’s best to show them a visual progression regarding time. 

With this, explain to them about the seasons, and how surroundings get the affect when change happens. 

Also, you can tell them to observe these changes and note them down. It will help them in knowing about how time changes and understand it. 

Help In Knowing How To Estimate Time 

Planning their schedule will need the action analysis, and one of the simplest ways for doing this is to prepare them for a reflection schedule. 

So let your child practice managing their timetable for a day, and contribute at least 15 minutes of the day for analyzing the activities of the day. 

You can compare the time, work progress as well as results. Also, reflect on the changes that happen in their daily schedule and help the kid to improve their estimation capabilities. 

Help Them In Creating Their Schedule 

To help kids to know about where they are spending their time, observe how they are utilizing their day or wasting it somewhere. With the help of your observation, you can also help them in creating their schedule. 

Once they have their routine set, make sure they are focusing on it and making it their habit

Use A Timer For Activities 

To help the kids to learn about how much time they are spending on their every practice, you can also ask them to use a timer to have the estimated time. 

This can also be effective by using the visible timer. To make it more interesting, you can set a reward for completing the tasks on time. 

Help In Prioritizing Tasks 

Instead of doing it on their behalf, let them do it on their own and assist if they have any requirements. 

When feelings tick, you can help in understanding what tasks that need to be done or what are the consequences. Depending on that, they can do adjustments and changes. 

Let the kids know which one is important and what they are going for. 

Set Their BedTime 

Well for being productive, energetic, and having effective time management, it’s important to have proper sleep 

That’s why make sure the kids know about their bedtime. It’s an important factor that can help in keeping their time managed

Help Them In Maintaining Consistency 

Time management is not easy, and it’s even hard for adults to follow on every day but it’s important to be consistent.  That’s what the kids should be aware of. 

It’s okay to miss a few things, but stick with the plan and maintain the schedule timing. 

So help them in trying their best and eventually they will know how to maintain time. 

Starting In Early Age 

When the kids are young they have an easier way to get into the habit of time management. 

So help them in becoming self-sufficient, and letting them participate in doing the cores which are appropriate for them. 

Keep A Separate Place For Study 

Instead of using a bed or dining table for study, make sure the kids have a proper place where they do their educational tasks. 

The place should be away from all the distractions, and easy to focus on their studies. 

Keep their stationeries within their reach. 

What Pointers Should Kids Know To Avoid Failing In Time Management? 

To know if the kids are managing their time well or not, it’s important for them to be aware of the points that can fail or waste their time. 

However, to understand it, here are some of the points that can help: 

Avoid Over Scheduling 

One of the issues with time management failing is when it gets over the shoulder. Make sure you are not putting too much burden and tasks on their plate. 

This can lead to an increase in stress, confusion and eventually lead to failure in doing the work. 

So they should be relaxed, and look for their challenges on their own. Instead of pushing them to do things, use the reward for motivating and let them have their own self-interest. 

Having No Rewards 

Not just for adults, but for kids, it’s important to have rewards. With this, it helps in motivating, Also they appreciate and acknowledge their skills for time management. 

These rewards can be anything depending on what they like, for example spending time with their friends,  having their chocolate, or playing games. 

Coach Instead Of Managing 

It’s easy to slip into the role of manager when you are coaching the kid’s time. 

However, it’s best to be a  coach, help them in having more information and ways of doing it but let them do it on their own. 

By coaching you are making them responsible for how they are spending their time and facing their actions. 

Focusing On Being Too Busy 

Kids should have the time to be relaxed, play, and grow as they want. 

Time management is a skill that will help them in learning about managing time, it’s not a way of controlling everything. 

So make sure they are not rushing too much on being busy. They should take it slow and learn the right way to manage time. 

Not Having Breaks 

Breaks are important for the brain, body and it helps in make it easier to follow time management plans. 

When you are an adult, it gets difficult to take breaks since you don’t have been taught how much it’s important/ 

But for kids, it’s the best time to know taking breaks is important, instead of diminishing as wasting time. 

Not Having Set Time For Gadgets 

Kids tend to play games or spend time on mobiles, especially since it’s so easy for them to access all of the gadgets in early life. They have more chances to waste time. 

Instead of putting it away completely, make sure they have their time set for everything like playing games on mobile, using the internet, and computer. 

This will also help in not depending on or getting addicted to such gadgets when they have time for doing more interesting and creative things. 

Forcing To Be Perfect 

Well,  no matter where you are, it’s important to keep learning. As for kids, having pressure on being perfect in what they do will add an unnecessary burden and also fear of trying anything. 

So this is important to not get too obsessed with being perfect, however, they should strive to do their best. 

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