Helping Kids Meet Assignment Deadlines

Kids have deadlines too. Some kids have trouble finishing homework and assignments on time for school. Here are some ways to help your kids meet assignment deadlines.

If your kids are like mine, they may put off doing their work until the last minute. They may put it off so long they forget about it as they get sidetracked with the more fun and interesting aspects of life. Here are some ways to teach about the importance of meeting deadlines and helping your kids finish their assignments on time.

Modeling. Yes, I tend to procrastinate. I put things off until the last minute, then rush around all frazzled trying to get things done. The kids see this. They figure that if mom can do it and still get it done, so can they.

This attitude really depends on the size of assignment and how much time is actually needed to get each assignment done before the deadline. Try to avoid rushing around for last-minute deadlines and model the behavior you wish from your children.

Discussion. I'm not talking lecture, kids don't like to be talked down to and may tune you out. Rather, if you put something off and had to hurry to meet a deadline, explain to your kids how you should have planned better and finished your work earlier rather than put yourself under so much stress to meet the deadline. When you emphasize your own shortcomings it doesn't come across as criticizing your kids.

In the same manner, if you did well on time management and planning to get your work done on time, tell your kids about it. You can compare how much easier it was and how much better your felt with careful planning and meeting your deadline with time to spare with a time you did not.

Scheduling. If necessary, make a schedule for your kids. Let them help you make it so they feel they have some control over their activities. Be sure you help your kids stick to the schedule. If you set aside an hour for homework and assignments before other activities, don't let your kids go on to the next activity until that hour is up. They can use any remaining time to study or get ahead in their work. You can also use this time to go over completed assignments to be sure they are done.

The schedule you make will depend on each child's personality. Three of my children preferred to do their homework and assignments as soon as they got home from school so that they had the rest of the day to enjoy themselves. My youngest child needs some time to unwind from her day at school before getting back to work. By scheduling time for work, your child will have more success on meeting deadlines.

Organization. Be sure your kids have the supplies they need to complete their assignments on time. These supplies should be readily available and your kids should know where they are. Set up a work area for your kids and keep the necessary supplies handy with folders and containers to keep the supplies organized. When the assignment is complete, it should be put immediately into a backpack or whatever your child carries to school.

If your child has a special assignment, such as a report or project, be sure to buy any extras needed well ahead of time. It would not be your child's fault if you wait until last minute to give them what they need. There may be times when you can't afford the right materials until last minute. If this is the case, you will need to do what you can to help your kids finish any projects before a deadline with as little stress as possible.

Organized Activities. If your kids are involved in organized activities it can take time away from them completing required homework and assignments on time. In order to meet deadlines, your child needs enough time to be able to complete the work. Removing an activity should not be used as a punishment for not meeting deadlines, but rather a way to reduce pressure on the kids.

It is also important not to have too many organized activities for kids so that they have free time to do what they choose with. This leaves them time to make decisions and use their imaginations and simply be kids. If their entire day is taken up with organized activity, they may rebel against any form of scheduling because kids need some down time and freedom in their choices.

Helping Kids Meet Assignment Deadlines. These are just a few ideas to help your kids get their work done on time. Not all of these tips may work for every child, but hopefully you can find something that works for your family or come up with your own ideas for helping your kids meet assignment deadlines.