The problem: My child has a tough time planning ahead.
Carve out some time.
Do:
- Remember this is a skill that gets better as children get older and develop the cognitive ability to anticipate the future and consider the variables.
- Teaching a child how to plan is a process. Pick a future project coming up that you think your child could use some help planning. Make a schedule for getting it done and talk about possible obstacles to completion.
Don’t rescue!
Don’t: It’s tempting to swoop in and solve their problems at the last minute. But in the long run, planning involves a lot of different skills. The sooner you help your child understand what goes into planning something, the better.
Paint a pretty plan.
Say:
- “Wow, that sounds like a cool science assignment. Let’s make a list of what you need and what you need to do to make it happen on time.”
- “Seems like last time you were really stressed working on that project at the last minute. Let’s plan this new project early so that you have enough time. Let’s add dates to the calendar about when parts of the project will be completed so you can pace yourself and stay calm.”
Avoid blanket statements.
Don’t say: “You’re always leaving everything until the last minute! You’re such a procrastinator!”
Why
Sure there’s a pattern: they’re always leaving everything until the last minute! But words like always and never can shape the future for a child. Let your child grow and learn and don’t make them feel they’re destined to be a certain way.
Planning involves what neuroscientists call 鈥渆xecutive function,鈥� which uses the most analytical part of the brain, the part that requires lots of training and many years to fully develop. By teaching planning skills, you are growing your child’s brain, neuron by neuron.
