The Executive Functioning Skill of Time Management
Have you worked with students who need help planning and organizing their time effectively? They may need help estimating how long it takes to complete a task and may need help prioritizing tasks and activities based on their importance. These students may need help with the executive skill known as time management. What can school psychologists do to help students who struggle to manage their time? Let’s discuss time management skills and ways school psychs can support students in the classroom!
Which Skills Does Time Management Require?
Since time management is a higher-level executive skill, it requires several components, including the ability to plan and organize, create and follow a schedule, and monitor progress to see a task through to completion. To successfully manage time, students must also understand how to tell time, have estimation skills, and be flexible with their schedules. When you are communicating with parents or teachers for students who struggle with time management, it is important to ask questions to determine which component skill might need support.
Teaching Time Management Skills
Did you know the Premack Principle is a research-based tool that can help students develop time management skills? Additionally, research indicates that assisting students in making a plan to accomplish a specific task and asking them to guess how long each step will take is an effective way to teach estimation skills. Have the student compare their estimate to the required time! If the two numbers don’t match, discuss what factors may have contributed to the difference.
If you’re a school psychologist navigating the world of executive functioning, consider joining the Prepared School Psychologist community. For a limited time, we’re offering a free two-week trial where you can explore our executive functioning mini-courses. These courses provide in-depth strategies and tools for effectively supporting students and their executive functioning needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your practice. Sign up and start your trial today using the code “BLOG.”
Start Your FREE 2-week Trial TODAY!
