Habits of Learning: Time Management

How long will it take, how much can I do, and when does it need to be done?

It is time already for Time Management! (See what I did?) In week four of Habits of Learning, we will explore Time Management. These lessons can change both your children’s and your own life.

If you are just joining us, you might want to start at the beginning:

• Habits of Learning: The Ten Skills Needed For Lifelong Learning
• Habits of Learning: The Grid
• Habits of Learning: Responsibility
• Habits of Learning: Respect
• Habits of Learning: Organization

This week’s lessons have a great book, a powerful object lesson, a fun game, and my very own secret time management weapon! I hope you enjoy these lessons.

Sounds pretty great! If you are enjoying your Habits of Learning journey…

Join our community! After you complete a lesson, snap a picture and post it to Instagram! Use the hashtag #habitsoflearning and tag @aoneroomshoolhouse. Follow the Schoolhouse and our hashtag to join other Habits of Learning users!

Preparation

Once you have completed the last three weeks of lessons, you are ready to dive into week four: Time Management. Here is all you need to do to get ready for this week:

• Download the lesson plan (link below), print it if desired.
• Bookmark this blog post that includes live links to use for each lesson containing a video.
• Cut the time management game cards apart.
• Obtain the book “The Sloth Who Came to Stay” (or use the video link)
• Get out a mason jar and a few big rocks, medium rocks, pebbles, and sand. These items should fill the jar completely. Make sure you start with the biggest items first, moving down in size. This will make the object lesson work well.
• Print one schedule grid for each participant.
• You will need a box of crayons for days four and five.

Now you are ready to go!

Remember to Practice

The general instructions for these lessons stay the same from week to week. This week (and from here on out) you will want to encourage your children to do the exploration activities from the previous week’s lesson.

This may be a copy sheet, hymn study, or memorization. Maybe they might like to read a book from the list or watch one of the video links. It does not matter which activity they do, what does matter is that they are still thinking about and learning about the previously studied habit.

Furthermore, make sure you are always looking for ways to praise your children as they progress in the previously studied habits. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO!

This focus on continual practice and praise will help further development and generalization. It reinforces the idea that we are always working to improve ourselves.

Special Elements

Below are some of the special elements that you might want to read about before completing the lessons.

Downtime

The importance of downtime cannot be overstated and is one of the most important aspects of time management. When we teach and model proper time management, we give the gift of relaxation and balance to our students.

Downtime has a huge upside with vast benefits:

• Improve productivity
• Restore focus
• Increase energy
• Prioritize tasks
• Understanding of purpose
• Unleash creativity
• Enhance mental and physical health
• Reduce stress

Setting Your Priorities

Setting priorities can be a confusing task. Before you do lesson three with your children or students make sure you have your own priorities sorted out.

You need to know what your big rocks, medium rocks, pebbles, and sand are so that you can help guide the student learning. 

Here are some guidelines to help you be more successful in setting your personal priorities:

• Big Rocks: Spiritual devotion, sleep, healthy food/drink, and exercise.
• Medium Rocks: Work, education, and relationships
• Pebbles: Entertainment, hobbies, and recreation
• Sand: All the other stuff

At times of crisis, sometimes our priorities briefly shift, for good reason. For example, if someone you love is sick you may stay up all night caring for them. This would be putting a medium rock before a big rock. That is okay because, at that moment, the medium rock is most important.

When you run into trouble is when you are constantly acting with disregard to your priorities.  To reset the balance in your life, go back and put the “big rocks” in first.

Benefits of Fixed Points

It is impossible to structure every day into a fixed and completely predictable routine. Not only would this be impossible, but it would also be boring.

There are however many benefits to prioritizing a few fixed points during the day.

Children especially need the predictability a routine can provide. The concept of fixed points can provide this structure.

• Bedtime and waketime: Having a regular bedtime and waketime helps you fall asleep faster and wake more rested.
• Mealtime: Enjoying regular eating times prevents hunger pains, boosts metabolism, keeps you energized, and prompts self-control.
• Devotional time: Creating regular space in your day for spiritual and/or emotional connection prioritizes our deepest needs. Often things like prayer, journaling, meditation, and scripture reading get put to the side. By creating this fixed point in your life, you will make sure this happens daily. 

Grow Our Community

We are growing rapidly and we are so pleased with your support. Keep tagging your friends, using our hashtag (#habitsoflearing), and sharing your Habits of Learning journey.

Let’s keep the social media ball rolling and share this program with your friends! Take pictures and videos of your Habits of Learning lessons. Post these on Facebook or Instagram. Use the hashtag #habitsoflearning and tag @aoneroomshoolhouse. Follow the Schoolhouse and our hashtag to join other Habits of Learning users!

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