Environmental Management

 

Many parents are familiar with the phenomenon of children sitting for hours doing homework, with or without assistance. The children struggle to complete the task without success, leaving the parents and the child frustrated.

In order to improve your child’s time management skills, several elements must be considered:

 

1. Defining Expectations:

Together with the child, a completion time should be set while considering the following:



What is your child’s capability? for how long can he or she concentrate and work efficiently? 



Is it efficient for him/her to spend a lot of time doing homework?



Is the homework done at the expense of other activities which are just as important? 



 

Once having decided on the length of time, check how much actual work can be completed in the time allotted. Is it possible to finish it all in one day?

The child’s time estimate will not always be realistic. The parent can use the Tick Task to help the child with this task.

 



2. Defining Goals



There is a need to define goals which should be clear to the child, and sometimes it is important to say these out loud.

 

3. Planning



The desired order of the tasks to be done can be discussed by the parent and the child. What to begin with? Should the more difficult things be addressed first (while the child is concentrated), or should the child begin with the simpler things, allowing for more to be completed in a shorter time?

The work-plan should be planned according to the individual needs of the child.

 

4. Defining Shorter Tasks



It is recommended that one divides the longer, more difficult tasks into smaller ‘bite size’ segments.

With experience, the parent and the child will know the ideal scale of task to be done each time. This helps those children intimidated by ‘heavy’ work-loads, and allows them to cope with it more easily.

 

5. Planning Time



In addition to defining shorter tasks, the time for each task should also be calculated and planned. Check to see what the child can do without taking a break: doing only the 1st. question? Is he or she able to do half a page or a whole page?

With the child, ask what he thinks is a reasonable time for each task. The ability to estimate times for specific tasks is critical for efficient time-planning and will be even more important when exams and tests come along.

 

Using the Tick Task for Kids’ Time Management



Each task should be marked on the colored or white magnets using an erasable marker and placed on the clock-face accordingly.

When first using Tick Task for homework, the child might incorrectly estimate the time needed to complete a task. By trial and error, he or she will learn how to estimate the time required for the various tasks.

For those children who cannot tell the time, graphics are a reliable and easy way to identify tasks and to understand the concept of time. Instead of asking “How much time will it take you? The parent should ask “How many circles will it take you?” This is something which is real and recognizable to the child.

 

6. Breaks



If you realize your child needs breaks, it is recommended that you use Tick Task to define them. For example, big circles represent ‘work’ and the small ones represent ‘break’. They are organized in a way that visually represents the differences between ‘work’ and ‘break,’ including how much time is given for each.

During breaks it is recommended that the activity is changed, for example: some kind of physical activity or a light meal. A long break is not recommended as this may interfere with continuity.

A ring or tune, signaling a return to studies, is highly recommended.

 

7. Self-Supervision



A significant part of the time management and organization is based on self-supervision. Tick Task enables any child to actually check himself while preparing homework. The task and the time are easy to understand, enabling the child to compare the two. Has he finished on time? Where is the red hand now? What should he be doing?

 

8. Environment



Preparing the required materials:

It is important to prepare the right materials for homework in advance. All relevant study materials should be in place: writing implements should be provided beforehand and be within reach (pencils, pens etc.). Sharpening of pencils, which can be time consuming, can be done during breaks to save time.

Adapting environmental stimulation:

The environmental stimulation should be adapted to the needs of the child.

A child should be able to study in an atmosphere where he feels comfortable. If he wants to listen to background music, or stand, lie down or at the table, he should be allowed to do so.

Comfort will add to his efficiency and concentration; whatever helps him to study is acceptable. However, it is recommended that there will be no TV or children playing nearby.

9. Mediation



There is a need for adapting the mediation given to the child. The extent of mediation can vary from time to time and may even vary several times within one hour. There will be times when close mediation and considerable help is needed and other times, when the need for mediation is minimal. It can be given either at the beginning of the homework preparation, where goals are set and strategy is defined, or at the end, when you check what you have achieved.

At other times, you will have to be there for the whole time.

It will depend on what is appropriate for each child and parent and on the best possible manner in which to achieve all goals.

In conclusion, homework preparation can be difficult, possibly a nightmare at times. However, it is possible to make it manageable and even rewarding.

 

 




By: Hagit Shahrur