Parenting Tips

7 Tips To Build Consistency And Confidence In Your Children

1. Getting your children involved

Sit your children down at a place that is free from distractions. Get them to list down the daily activities that they need to put into the daily routine, which could include meal times, nap and bedtime, school homework, Kumon time, music and sports practice.

2. Assigning the time and duration

After deciding on the activities, discuss with your children on the duration to set aside for each task, adding in a little buffer to cater for activities overrunning the time allocated. The buffer could be used as a reward for extra play or screen time as a reward for completing the activities punctually.

3. Put the activities and time slots into a schedule

You can choose to DIY this – another opportunity for bonding – using recycled or scrapbooking materials, or even toys such as magnetic tiles. This helps to reinforce the various activities against the allocated time.

4. Display the schedule prominently

This acts as a source of reference for your children and yourself to refer to (and countering the forgetting curve). It could be on the wall, or if you had chosen to use magnetic toys or materials, then the fridge or on something that conducts magnetism well.

5. Have a clock

Having a clock helps to remind your children that it is time to transition to another activity. No more excuses for not knowing the time! This can be an analogue or digital clock. For younger children, a digital clock could be helpful.

6. Be patient and encouraging

Don’t expect the schedule to run smoothly from the get-go, as children will take some time to get used to it. You can remind them of the schedule in the beginning, and encourage them to keep to the schedule.

You might even want to reward them with extra activities that are not listed in the timetable, like extra time to read, or a trip to the playground or supermarket, for taking the initiative to complete the task punctually.

7. Be flexible

Exercise some flexibility with the timetable if there was a family outing oroverseas trip. For example, many Kumon parents would let their children complete their Kumon homework in the morning during overseas trips, festive occasions or when there are family outings planned.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle