As homeschooling parents, we have the unique blessing of guiding our children not only in their academic studies but also in life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. One of the most important skills we can teach our children is time management.
In a world full of distractions and endless activities, knowing how to wisely manage time is crucial, especially as you all begin a new homeschool year.
Here are 6 tips to teach your children time management:
1. Begin with Prayer and Priorities
Before diving into any task or schedule, start your day with prayer. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Teaching your children to seek God’s guidance at the beginning of each day helps them prioritize what truly matters.
Encourage them to think about what tasks are most important and align their daily goals with God’s will. This not only sets a strong spiritual foundation but also helps them focus on what’s most important.
Of course, this doesn’t mean your kids have to be studying scripture all day long. When talking with a friend recently, he made this comment, “Sometimes God’s will at the moment is to brush your teeth.” My friend is a father of young children, and his observation highlighted the fact that for children, their priorities are often basic.
Sometimes your kids need to practice their ABCs (if they’re young), or write a composition (if they’re older), or finish that reading assignment.
Priorities will change from day-to-day but as you teach them to begin their day in God’s Word and prayer, they will learn to have the right priorities as they go through life. This is a foundational element of teaching your kids time management.
2. Create a Schedule That Fits Your Homeschool
A well-structured schedule is essential for managing time effectively. Work with your children to create a daily or weekly schedule that includes time for academics, chores, rest, and spiritual growth.
Keep in mind that the same schedule is not going to work for every child, and that your scheduling needs will change from year to year or even from month to month. So, you’ll need to be flexible.
Your schedule might also vary from child to child. If you are teaching several children, you’ll find they have different reactions to schedules.
One of my children had a personality that fit well with a structured schedule. When she saw something on the calendar, it just made her feel better about doing it—whether it was chores or homework assignments or outings. She liked to check the boxes, literally. I have another child who prefers spontaneity and doesn’t like having everything on a schedule or things too structured. For him, a homeschool routine works better than a strict schedule.
Having some sort of schedule enables your kids to learn better time management. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” By planning their days, children can make the most of their time and avoid the pitfalls of procrastination or rushed work.
While your daily schedule will need to include slots for education—classes, assignments, homework, and various electives—remind them that a good schedule reflects a balance that honors God. It includes time for family, worship, and service.
3. Teach the Value of Hard Work
Colossians 3:23 encourages us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Help your children understand that time management isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about doing their best in those things they do.
I confess that sometimes this is hard to encourage in my children. Sometimes I’m willing to settle for “good enough” because I don’t want to deal with the conflict of having my child revise his paper because I know he could do better. Or I’m inclined to go ahead and do the chore that is my child’s responsibility because he hasn’t finished his homework assignments yet.
But in letting my kids off the hook, I am not teaching them the importance of time management. Maybe he would be done with that homework assignment if he had started earlier and having him do that chore as well will teach him to better manage his time in the future.
Whether it’s a school assignment, a household chore, or a personal project, teaching kids to approach tasks with diligence and a heart for excellence will instill in them a strong work ethic that honors God.
4. Model Time Management in Your Own Life
Seriously, this one is so important. There’s no way we’re going to be able to teach our kids effective time management if we’re not making the most of our minutes and hours and days.
Children learn by example, so one of the best ways to teach time management is by modeling it yourself. Show your children how you prioritize your time, set goals, and stay disciplined in your tasks. Let them see you making time for prayer, Bible study, and family.
When your kids see that you value and manage your time well, they are more likely to follow suit. James 1:22 reminds us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers, implying that we are meant to live out the lessons we want to teach our kids.
Maybe this isn’t a strong point of yours, and that’s okay. You can let your kids know that you’re learning about time management even if you don’t consider yourself skilled in it. Talk to your kids about the schedule that you’ve made for yourself and the things that you’re hoping to fit into that schedule.
If we hope our kids will develop certain qualities in life, it is vital that we model them in a spirit of humility. We don’t have it all together all the time (and our kids know that!) so we might as well be open and humble about it. Tell them when there are things you’re still learning, areas you’re trying to grow in, and places that you hope to improve, including time management.
5. Emphasize the Importance of Rest and Recreation
In the midst of teaching time management, it’s important not to overlook the need for rest. God rested on the seventh day, setting an example for us of keeping a day of Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3). Teach your children that rest is a vital part of a well-balanced life.
In addition to rest, recreation is so important (and often preferable to rest for littles). Let your kids have fun! Make sure electives are a part of your homeschool calendar. Incorporate field trips, hands-on learning, and arts and crafts into your schedule.
If your children are interested in certain hobbies or express a keen interest in some area of history or science, let them focus on that in their homeschool classes, according to their age and aptitude.
If your students choose to take on a sport or learn a musical instrument, let them learn how to fit those electives in while not falling behind in their other scholastics. This is a great way to help them learn and time management.
Encourage your kids to take breaks, enjoy leisure activities, and spend time in quiet reflection. This not only prevents burnout but also provides them with the mental and spiritual space to hear God’s voice and recharge for the tasks ahead.
6. Use Biblical Stories as Teaching Tools
The Bible is full of stories that illustrate the importance of time and how it should be managed. For instance, the story of the ant in Proverbs 6:6-8 teaches the value of hard work and preparation. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 emphasizes the importance of using our time and resources wisely.
In studying the life of Christ together, you can show your children those places where Christ woke up early to spend time with his heavenly Father in prayer before beginning his day pouring out to his disciples and followers, teaching, and healing.
Share these stories with your children and discuss how they can apply these lessons in their own lives. This not only reinforces the practical aspects of time management but also deepens their understanding of Scripture.
You can also highlight certain Bible characters, such as the Apostle Paul, and discuss how they were able to accomplish as much as they did. For example, the Apostle Paul went on missionary journeys and made great strides in helping to establish the Early Church. He even made the most of his time in prison writing epistles and encouraging new disciples and followers of Christ.
There are many great examples of both Bible characters and Christian missionaries throughout time who made wise and efficient use of their time and their lives in service to God and others, including D.L. Moody, George Muller, David Livingstone, Ann Judson, and more.
Conclusion
It might not come naturally to you, but teaching your children the invaluable skill of time management is worth it. These lessons will not only help them succeed academically but will also prepare them for a life that honors God. Remember, time is a precious gift from the Lord, and teaching our children to use it wisely is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.
