Executive Functioning Skills: Planning and Time Management

We’ve all heard the saying, “Fail to plan...plan to fail.” 

Planning and time management are critical to success in any context - school, work, and family life. Because these two Executive Functioning Skills go hand-in-hand, we’re presenting them together.

Planning

Planning involves careful consideration of a task or activity and determining the steps involved in seeing it through to fruition. Strong planning skills will help learners use their time well, eliminating the need to go back and revise work later.

To effectively plan, one must ask the following questions: 

• What preparation is necessary? 
• Which supplies are needed? 
• How many steps are included, from start to finish?
• Can I do this independently, or will I need help?
• Will I be able to accomplish this task in one session, or will multiple sessions be needed?

Time Management

Closely related to planning, time management involves the estimation of how long a task or activity will take, prioritize those items on a to-do list, and use time wisely and effectively to see that all tasks are completed. Solid time management skills allow the learner to do his best work while also completing assignments on time.

The following questions are relevant to time management:

• Have I done this before?
• How long did it take me last time?
• Can I do it faster this time?
• What roadblocks might I encounter?

​Strategies for Improving Planning and Time Management Skills

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• Work on estimating time. Children aren’t great at this initially, but with a little practice they can more accurately plan a schedule by understanding the duration of typical events and activities.

 

• Keep a visual calendar (using actual photos is great) where everyone in the family can see it. Discuss as a family what the week’s schedule entails.

 

• Don’t overschedule your kids! We all need time to breathe!

 

• Use checklists and to-do lists. The satisfaction associated with ‘crossing something off the list’ cannot be overestimated. Many small wins add up to competence.

 

• Harness the power of time and make it visual. There are many ways to visually represent time in order to stay on track with tasks and goals. Using a standard kitchen timer is cheap and convenient - you probably already have one at home! Making the child responsible for the timer increases his stake in the process and adds to his confidence, too.​

Using a visual timer is another great strategy. The use of color - one for time elapsed and another for time remaining - is a quick way for the learner to gauge his progress. Looking for something even more tangible? Try using an hourglass! Besides being a fun way to mark time, there is something very soothing about the passage of sand from one end to the other. 

We know how much children love technology, and there are countless timer apps that have been developed just for them! 

Take a look at planning and time management with your young people, and implement some of these strategies today. You’ll be on your way to more independent learners in no time!

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~ About My Guest Blogger ~

Hi there! I am Becky, a twenty-seven year veteran teacher and reading specialist! I have experience K - 5, and have been teaching fifth for a while now.

​As a mom of three (mostly) grown children, I know how tricky the juggling act can be. I love spending my days learning along with my students!