Is Your Child Procrastinating? Keep Them Productive With These Simple Tips!

We all have 24 hours in a day, but are we putting them to full use?

Although we may start the day with ambitious visions of what we could achieve, many of us are no stranger to ending the day with only a fraction of our goals completed. It is all too easy to get distracted along the way and lose track of time. It is even more crucial when your child is studying for their PSLE examinations to stay on task. The lengthy syllabus of Primary Science or Primary Maths requires a great deal of time and dedication if your child is to internalise every concept and prepare for the exams, especially within the tight timeframe they are afforded.

This may raise a pressing issue: if your child is prone to procrastination, what can you do to keep them productive? Well, here are some of our suggestions.

Remove All Distractions

Your child may enjoy studying in the comforts of their room, but are they studying efficiently? Some of the biggest culprits behind frequent procrastination could be that TV or video game in the corner. It is important to set some ground rules for studying hours, such as disallowing phones at the table. Find a quiet spot where your child can revise without distractions or interruptions. If the home environment is noisy, moving to a more conducive spot or location such as the library may be a good idea. Some students also like to stay back in school after their lessons to revise. It all depends on the ideal environment for your child to concentrate without turning their attention to other things.

Settle on a Schedule

Discipline is a key factor in avoiding procrastination. A student without a schedule is like a ship without a captain – planning each day’s revision topics beforehand is crucial in giving your child a clear direction to follow. Apart from preventing them from wasting more time on figuring out what to do next, a well-planned outline also helps your child visualise how much they need to get done for the day, enabling them to pace themselves accordingly. You can plan a schedule together with your child and decide what to focus on each day. For instance, perhaps you want to reserve Mondays and Wednesdays to revise Primary Maths, especially if it is your child’s weakest subject. Start with that and sketch up a plan detailing which topics should be revised on each day. Any plan is a great start – it is alright to change the plan later on if you or your child feels the need to.

Set Small, Realistic Milestones

Many people like to aim big, but in doing so, they are also setting themselves up for procrastination. It is usually much easier to focus on a job and get it done when you have the end in sight, rather than looking at a large pile of work to be done and feeling the inertia kick in.

If you are already setting goals for your child but they are having trouble accomplishing these milestones, it may be time to re-evaluate your plans. Perhaps you might need to set the bar a little lower so that it is in better reach for your child. For instance, if your child is struggling with finishing an entire test paper in one sitting, try breaking it into more manageable sections for a start. Have your child attempt Section A first and come back to the other sections later. As they get more comfortable with the questions, you can gradually add on the rest of the paper until they are able to complete everything without wearing out. At the end of the day, nothing beats the sense of accomplishment that you have knocked everything off the day’s to-do list.

Take Well-Deserved Breaks

Everyone has a limit, and it is important not to push your child too hard. It may seem counterintuitive to speed up revision progress by encouraging breaks, but a respite is sometimes necessary. Allow your child to take a breather if they have been going at a good pace. The prospect of a timely break can also help to spur a person on to complete their tasks more efficiently.

Revise With Your Child

It can be difficult to stay focused on one’s own. Tackling the revision together with your child can help them to keep on track. Not only will you be able to guide your child along the way, but it will also mean the world to them for their parents to take interest in and work together with them on their goals. You do not have to be an expert in a subject to tutor your child in it, the experience can even be better when you learn together.