Teaching Kids Time Management

Teaching kids time management (The Philippine Star) Updated September 22, 2009 12:00 AM

“Setting clear priorities on how they’ll spend their days teaches kids the discipline of time management,” says Janice Villanueva, active mom to Reese.

MANILA, Philippines - It’s always good to start them young — especially when teaching them how to manage their time.

By teaching children the values they need to learn early on — particularly, the important lesson of time management — parents prepare their kids for a lifetime of self-discipline which will no doubt help them in their adulthood.

“Setting clear priorities on how they’ll spend their days teaches kids the discipline of time management,” says Janice Villanueva, active mom to Coby, Reese, and Zac. She adds that during the school year, she wants the kids to put their studies as top priority. “For our kids to focus on this, we do not allow them to watch TV or play on the computer or their PSP during weekdays. During weekends, however, they are free to do whatever they want so they can relax and recharge in time for the next week of classes. We also try to squeeze in some sports activities on weekends so they also get some physical activity.”

To properly guide children on how to manage their time, parents have to know what rules they want to set for their kids. But imposing rules is not enough: It is also necessary to make kids understand why these limits are being set, so that they will realize the reasons behind these rules.

”Parents should talk to their kids about the consequences whenever they don’t manage their time,” opines Jen Tan, progressive parenting advocate and hands-on mom to Paul and Kevin. “It isn’t enough that parents discipline them whenever they refuse to follow. Parents should communicate how time management affects their kid’s daily activities. For example, parents can tell children that if they prioritize studying now, that means they have more time to play later on.”