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Have Routine Check-ins

Tags

Study Skills & Tools Social-Emotional Learning ^Extra-curricular/At-Home All Ages Strategy

Skills

Self-regulation Organization Attention

Have Routine Check-ins

If your child needs help with planning and organization

How To Apply It!

  1. Parents can help children improve their planning and organization skills by setting aside a specified time to plan ahead.
  2. Schedule a set, weekly time to meet with each child alone and discuss the upcoming week.
  3. Discuss the child's schedule for the week, anticipated homework assignments, and how to plan accordingly.
  4. Guide your child's thinking, but have your child make decisions and trade-offs.
  5. Provide specific details about your recommendations to help them envision how the week's events might transpire.
  6. Have your child's school assignment notebook handy or consider purchasing a scheduling book.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Most students are not inherently good planners, as the brain's executive functions develop through early adulthood. They also might lack the experience to anticipate how long an activity might take or what could possibly go wrong. Parents should be a supportive guide by giving students responsibility for decision-making but offering constructive suggestions and recommendations along the way. Even though this routine may not be entirely necessary in elementary school, creating this habit early will increase the likelihood of success for when your child is older and planning is essential.