Bring Out Your Child’s Full Potential: Smart Time Table Hacks Every Parent Should Know

Timetable hacks can help promote your child’s best-self by supporting their academic success and their overall health and well-being. A well-thought routine which includes flexibility helps children practice life-skills, cope with stress, and flourish each day.  

Assess and get your child involved

First assess your child’s natural patterns of energy, needs, and interests as well as involve them in the planning process. When they have ownership, motivation, and responsibility over their time table, your child will be more engaged.

Set tasks and goals

When your student has a big project use the techniques in mapping and scaffolding to break down the big goal into smaller ‘mini-goals’. Help your child remember to use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound) when making clear mini-goals. You can also support your student by setting boundaries lifted around their school day, and your student having the ability to feel small wins and confidence throughout their day. 

Focus on the most difficult things first

Encourage your child to do the most difficult subjects or assignments first, or at least early in the day when he/she is more energetic. Starting with the hardest subject means your child will have more focus for what may be presented in stressful last-minute time management for difficult subjects.

Build time for breaks and downtime

Make it a habit to schedule break times every 30-45 minutes and do not forget to eat, craft, and play. A balanced schedule is the key to staying focused, emotionally healthy, and being able to achieve better learning outcomes in the day. 

Use Visual Planners

There are many visual planners available including charts, whiteboards, color codes, or apps to create a visible schedule. Visual reminders can help children understand routines and become more independent, by providing a visual aid for children. It lessens confusion and provides more organization.

Create a dedicated area to study that is free from distraction

This grid below provides a condensed overview of Modified Zone Analysis. When developing a dedicated study space, it is vital to have a clear, open, and well-lit area free from noise and distractions, and gadgets. A separate area for school will convey to children that it is ‘concentration time’ where students can zone into what they are learning, improving cognitive instruction before moving swiftly into their next task.

Assess Progress and Celebrate

Weekly reviews help to make improvements and problem solve issues. Older children can also be involved in assessment and improvement. Make sure to include some celebration of effort as well as results. This is positive reinforcement and builds motivation and emotional connections to learning.
This content is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. Parents should tailor timetables to their child’s unique needs and consult educators or experts for personalized academic or developmental guidance.