I tend to think that most of us start out life as perpetual procrastinators. I remember when I was a child, I would put almost everything off until the last minute. Right around junior high I started figuring out that my homework and chores would be less stressful if I got them out of the way and I started changing my behavior.

My children seemed to be following the same pattern as they grew, and I didn't want them to end up with the same stresses that I had as a child. So, I decided to teach them time management from a young age. I was somewhat successful, in that they manage their time very well in most aspects of their lives. (Cleaning their rooms, well, that is another story.)

Teaching time management to kids is not an overnight endeavor. First, parents have to get kids to buy into the idea. A person will never be fully committed to an ideal, no matter what their age, unless they can see the benefits.

Start out by setting a schedule and keeping to it as much as possible. It is important for the adults in the household to also keep to the schedule; role modeling for children is just as important as telling them what to do. Children will naturally fall into the schedule, especially if the reward that comes from following it is valuable.

For example, set a task before something they kids want to do, such as playing outside. If the task takes too long to complete, play time will be shortened as a natural consequence. My kids loved to go to the park, but chores had to be done first. If they dawdled over their chores, there was less time at the park. They soon learned to get the chores done as quickly as possible to maximize the park play time; an excellent example of children developing time management skills.

If the kids like to watch a favorite TV show, require that homework be done first. If they consistently miss out on part of the TV show because they slow-walk their homework, they will realize that they are causing their own loss.

Flexibility has to be kept in mind, however, as things don't always go as planned. If the time management schedule is too rigid the kids may well rebel. Keep things light but ordered. Keep the rewards tangible and easy to earn if the kids follow through with the simple tasks that have been set out for them.

As they grow and develop, they will set their own schedules and manage their own time effectively. My fourteen year old daughter is self-managed. She does a wonderful job of managing her time and I rarely have to remind her at this point. I believe this is because I started working on time management with her from the time she was fairly small.

Keep it fun and happy. Make it a challenge to manage their time effectively. Learning effective time management skills as a child will carry them through to adulthood, and one day they will thank you for teaching the skill to them.

Learn more about this author, Rebecca Dyson.
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