Homework, sports practices, time with friends and other commitments make it difficult for kids to accomplish all necessary tasks each day. Time management techniques help a child better allocate time so that he can complete everything. The techniques work well for preschool kids, school-aged children, those in middle school and beyond. Adapt the techniques to fit your child's specific needs and responsibilities.
Estimating Time
Understanding the concept of time and how quickly it passes adds to the challenge of time management for kids. An analog clock with hour, minute and second hands allows the child to see how quickly the time passes, according to ADDitude magazine. The online magazine also suggests having your child estimate how long it takes to complete a particular task, such as walking the dog, eating dinner or brushing teeth. Time the activity so your child can compare her estimate to the actual time. Doing this activity on a regular basis helps your child gradually gain a better sense of time.
Timers
Timers offer an inexpensive tool to help your child stay on task and manage time wisely. Set a timer for a specific amount of time based on the activity he needs to complete. For example, you might set the time for 10 minutes to indicate the amount of time to pick up his toys from the living room.
Daily Schedule
A daily schedule provides a framework for the day's activities. A written schedule helps your child break down her day so that all activities are included. Help her fill in the activities that occur each day, such as waking up, going to bed, leaving for school and eating meals. The age of your child influences the items included on the daily schedule. School-age kids will likely need a time slot for homework, while preschoolers won't have homework. Pictures next to each event on the schedule provide younger kids with visual clues.
Calendar
A calendar helps kids keep track of their activities. Get your child in the habit of checking the calendar each day to check for upcoming events, such as sports practices, play dates or due dates for school projects. By planning ahead, your child learns how to budget his time to accommodate these special activities that are outside of the normal daily schedule.
Charts
Charts provide a visual representation that assists in time management. A pie chart helps your child visualize how her time should be allocated during the day. Draw a large circle and divide it into wedges of various sizes to show how much time is spent on each activity. For example, school and sleeping would take up large wedges on the circle. Smaller wedges might include eating, homework, playing and chores.
A checklist is another way to help kids remember all of the tasks they need to complete. Create a checklist for specific times of the day, such as the morning or bedtime routine. Your child checks off each task as it is completed. The list provides a visual reminder of everything she needs to complete and how much work she has left so she can budget her time appropriately.
