Teaching Children Priority Setting: 16 Basic Methods Proven Effective
In today's fast-paced world, prioritization has become a crucial skill for managing time and resources efficiently. By determining which tasks or goals matter most, we can work towards our objectives more effectively and reduce the chances of feeling overwhelmed.
For adults, aligning tasks with long- and short-term goals, focusing on the tasks that will give the biggest returns (the Pareto Principle), writing everything down, and eliminating distractions are all effective strategies for better prioritization. However, prioritization is not just about creating a to-do list; it's about strategically deciding what needs immediate attention and what can wait.
For children, teaching prioritization is essential for their development and future success. Effective strategies for teaching kids to prioritize tasks and develop executive function skills include assigning meaningful classroom jobs with rotating responsibilities, using visual schedules, setting clear routines and expectations, and teaching time management techniques like the Pomodoro method and time blocking.
Assigning students real responsibilities such as managing materials, technology, cleanup, or noise levels can help kids develop accountability, routine, and task prioritization skills autonomously. Posting daily visual schedules and reviewing them daily fosters anticipation, time awareness, and smoother transitions, while establishing consistent routines reduces uncertainty and helps kids manage their time effectively. Explicitly teaching strategies like the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes focused work, 5 minutes break) and encouraging time blocking can help build sustained attention and minimize interruptions.
Struggling with prioritization can lead to signs such as constantly feeling overwhelmed, procrastination, missing due dates, poor time management, and juggling too many tasks at once. Rewards can be used as motivation to prioritize tasks effectively, and talking through large tasks can help practice prioritization skills.
Outdoor activities like geocaching can also help teach prioritization skills, as they require participants to make decisions about which clues to follow and which paths to take. Scheduling tasks helps keep people on track and be flexible when scheduling tasks, since things can change. Technology, such as apps and software, can help individuals manage their time and stay organized for better prioritization.
Playing chess can help develop executive function skills, which are essential for managing time and prioritizing tasks effectively. The Eisenhower Matrix is a simple tool for prioritizing tasks based on how urgent and important they are. Calendars can be an excellent tool for teaching and practicing prioritization skills.
For those who struggle with prioritization, executive function coaching can be an effective intervention. Executive functioning refers to a set of brain processes that help us plan, organize, and complete tasks, including skills like planning, prioritizing, organization, time management, and self-regulation. Teaching kids to prioritize equips them with crucial life skills like problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
By mastering prioritization, we can take control of our tasks, set priorities, and strengthen our executive function skills, making us more effective and productive in both our personal and professional lives.
[1] ClassDojo. (2021). Classroom jobs: The benefits and how to implement them. Retrieved from https://www.classdojo.com/blog/classroom-jobs-benefits-implementation/ [2] Lifehacker. (2017). How to Use the Pomodoro Technique to Get More Done. Retrieved from https://lifehacker.com/how-to-use-the-pomodoro-technique-to-get-more-done-1792281395 [3] Edutopia. (2018). 5 Strategies for Teaching Prioritization Skills. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-prioritization-skills-classroom-management-strategies [4] Understood.org. (2021). Daily Schedules: The Benefits for Students with Learning and Attention Issues. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-and-thinking-skills/organizing-your-thoughts/daily-schedules-the-benefits-for-students-with-learning-and-attention-issues [5] Understood.org. (2021). Consistency in the Classroom: The Benefits for Students with Learning and Attention Issues. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/classroom-strategies/building-structure/consistency-in-the-classroom-the-benefits-for-students-with-learning-and-attention-issues
- Mastering prioritization not only allows us to manage tasks effectively but also strengthens our executive function skills, essential for personal and professional success.
- Teaching kids to prioritize equips them with life skills like problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, and resilience, which are vital for their future.
- Strategies for teaching kids prioritization include assigning meaningful classroom jobs, using visual schedules, establishing clear routines, and explicitly teaching techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or time blocking.
- By utilizing tools like calendars, apps, and the Eisenhower Matrix, we can improve our time management, critical thinking, and communication skills, contributing to our personal growth and education-and-self-development.
