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<\/p>\r\nMotivating kids to complete tasks in a timely manner can be a daily struggle. I know it is at my house. With the new school year fast approaching I am motivated to change that and I figured there may be more parents like me that feel the same way. I’m excited to have executive function expert, Mindy Hudon, the creator of Bee a Time Keeper clock, share a few strategies with us on how to help our children grasp the concept of time and how to manage it better. Be sure and check out her clock. It is a wonderful product for teaching young kids the concept of time.<\/i>
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\r\n\u201cHurry up, we need to leave in 5 minutes. I told you 10 minutes ago to get dressed!\u201d<\/em>\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nDoes this scenario sound familiar? \r\nYou\u2019re not alone. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nTime is an abstract concept and hard for young children to understand. \r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nThe ability to manage our time is just one of many executive function<\/em> skills that our brain continues to develop until our mid to late twenties. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nExecutive functioning refers to the brain functions that make it possible for us to manage life tasks such as planning our day, controlling impulses, and determining how much time we have to complete a task. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nTypically, children are not taught time concepts until the second grade; however, we expect young children to understand how time moves, \u201cYou have 5 minutes,\u201d<\/em> or \u201cBedtime is in 15 minutes.\u201d<\/em> \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nOne reason youngsters struggle with complying with adults requests around time is because they have not yet developed the ability to \u201cfeel\u201d the passage of time and self-manage accordingly. This can be frustrating for both adults and children. If children can be led to experience what time feels like<\/em>, then they can become better self-managers.\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nBut I already give my children time cues! <\/strong> \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nIf you\u2019re a parent, you have most definitely used one (or more) of the below techniques to keep everyone on time. While there is a place for each, time management tools should be used to help children learn to \u201csee and feel\u201d the passage of time.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nParent-O\u2019clock:<\/strong> We are our children\u2019s time manager. We are the wake-up, get to school, take a bath, get to bed daily<\/em> alarm clock! We keep our children on time! This system may be working for some families, but it lacks the ability to teach children how to plan their time and to carry through on a task independently.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nCountdown Timers:<\/strong> Who hasn\u2019t used the kitchen \u201ccountdown\u201d timer to get their child to complete a task? It\u2019s easy and convenient and in most instances gets kids moving. \u201cI\u2019m setting the timer for 5 minutes.\u201d<\/em> Although it gives us some parenting control, the anticipation of not knowing when the timer will go off can cause a bit of anxiety for our children. If a child doesn\u2019t know what \u201c5 minutes\u201d feels like or can\u2019t see the passage of time because they don\u2019t understand the numbers, what time management skill does a countdown timer teach?\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nVisual Timers:<\/strong> This type of time management tool is often used in schools to help children see how much time they have left. There are different types of visual timers on the market including sand timers, disappearing colored dials, or three colored light towers. Children are able to \u201csee\u201d their time disappear, but it does not teach children how to plan future time or develop necessary clock skills.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nApp Timers:<\/strong> Search the App Store and you will find a plethora of time management apps for kids. There are different types of apps for different needs. There are visual timers, countdown timer apps, chore timers, and game related timers that reward children for their efforts. The problem using technology is that it can become a distraction for children, rather than a tool to assist them with time management. Depending on the child, using apps may be adding to the problem rather than helping children be better self-managers. \r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n \r\nDigital vs. Analog Clocks<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nIn today\u2019s technology driven age, digital clocks are more commonly used. A digital clock shows the numeric display of the exact time. Numbers are put together to indicate the time. In other words, digital clocks tell only \u201cnow time.\u201d It is 5:15…now! Some research suggests that 75% of children in the United States cannot tell time on an analog clock. Those are startling statistics because our children are learning only how to tell \u201cnow time.\u201d As previously stated, in order to be good time managers, we need to be able to \u201csee and feel\u201d the passage of time.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nAnalog<\/em> is the label for the circular clocks that we all remember, from before the digital age. Learning how to read an analog clock is a life skill. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nAnalog clocks help us think visually about time. We can see time in \u201cchunks.\u201d Ask yourself these questions: How do you \u201csee\u201d time? Can you see what 15 minutes looks like? What about 5 minutes or a half hour? If you can only read digital clocks, then this will be a difficult task.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nThe other advantage of an analog clock is that you can see now time, past time, and future time<\/em>. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nTeaching children to understand an analog clock will help them visualize the amount of time they have when you say, \u201cYou have 5 more minutes.\u201d<\/i> They will learn to remember that the 5-minute chuck of time is small, so they need to get moving!\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nBy planning and discussing shared time expectations with your children – you play a key role in developing their time management skills. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nHow do I teach my children to Use An Analog Clock? <\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nPlanning and discussing your time expectations with your child before they happen will make everyone\u2019s lives easier. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nPlanning time expectations before children are expected to complete a task is important to help them be better self-managers. As with any task, it is better to be prepared.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\nFor older children (ages 7 and older), show them the clock at their eye level. For example say, \u201cBed time is in 15 minutes. The minute hand is on the 12. When the minute hand gets to the 3 you need to clean up your toys and then we will read a book. That is 15 minutes.\u201d<\/em> It is important to have your children be an active listener in the time planning process.\r\n<\/p><\/ul>\r\n\r\n \r\nTo accomplish this, have your children repeat the time plan with your help: \u201cThe minute hand is on the (pause so your children will respond). When the minute hand gets on the (pause) it will be time for (pause).\u201d<\/em> If possible, it is always better to give your children something positive to work towards. Ending with reading a book is always a fun activity at bedtime, while using positive language is also a very effective method to encourage children to be time managers, \u201cGreat job being on time.\u201d\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\r\n\r\nBut why can\u2019t we just use our cell phone clocks? <\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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