Dr. Ana Aznar
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In our Ask Dr Ana series, Dr. Ana Aznar answers real questions from parents with practical, evidence-based advice. Dr. Ana Aznar is the founder of REC Parenting and a psychologist who specializes in parenting, family relationships, and children’s socioemotional development. Parents can also submit their own questions for free expert parenting advice.
Parent’s question
“I have ADHD and have a difficult time with managing my schedule and time. I have started seeing that my preteen girls, 10 and 12, have started having issues with time management, too, so I want to help them before it gets too bad. What are the best techniques, in your opinion, for time management for kids?”
Dr Ana’s answer
Time management is an executive function skill. This set of skills “lives” in the frontal lobe of the brain and is amongst the last ones to develop. They develop until the early 20s. Some children are better at time management than others, but this skill, like the other executive function skills, can be supported at home.
Here are a few ideas:
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Get your girls a watch and let them tell when it is time to have a shower, do their homework, go to bed.
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Try not to act as their official time keeper.
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Keep a stable and consistent routine at home.
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Support them to estimate time. Very often people have trouble estimating how long a task will take them or how long it will take them to get somewhere. So, for example, every day before they sit down to do their homework, ask them: how long will it take you to do this piece of homework? Let them guess, and check once they are done to see if they were accurate in their prediction or not. Being able to estimate time is an important skill because it allows them to organize themselves better.
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Help them break big tasks into smaller ones.
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Share your own experiences: what are your failures and successes in relation to time management?
How parents can teach time management skills
Time management is not just about knowing the time. It involves planning, estimating, starting tasks, switching tasks, and finishing on time.
These skills are still developing in children and teenagers. That means children often need support before they can manage their time independently.
One helpful step is to stop being the only timekeeper in the house. If parents are always saying “hurry up” or “it’s time to start,” children get fewer chances to practise noticing time for themselves.
Instead, try asking:
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“What time do you need to start getting ready?”
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“How long do you think this will take?”
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“What needs to happen before bedtime?”
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“What is your homework plan today?”
Watches, clocks, timers, and visual schedules can also help children understand time more clearly.
A useful habit is asking children to estimate how long a task will take. After the task, check whether their estimate was accurate. This builds awareness without shame or pressure.
Large tasks should also be broken into smaller steps. “Clean your room” can feel overwhelming. “Put your clothes in the laundry, clear the floor, and make your bed” is easier to start.
If you struggle with time management yourself, share that honestly. You can model problem-solving by saying, “I underestimated how long that would take. Next time I’ll start earlier.”
This helps children see time management as a learnable skill.
Dr Ana Aznar’s parenting expertise
Dr. Ana Aznar has a BA in Psychology from The Open University, UK, an MSc in Applied Child Psychology from Kingston University, UK, and a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Kingston University, UK. She conducts research on parenting, family relations, and children’s socioemotional development.
Kids’ time management FAQs
How can I teach my child better time management?
Use simple routines, clocks, timers, and planning questions. Help your child estimate how long tasks take and review whether their estimate was accurate.
Why does my child have poor time management?
Time management is an executive function skill, and these skills develop gradually. Some children need more practice and structure than others.
Are timers good for children?
Yes. Timers can make time more visible and help children stay focused during homework, chores, or morning routines.
How can I help my child stop being late?
Help them work backwards. Start with the time they need to leave, then list each task they need to do before that point.
Do you have any parenting questions for our parenting coach and expert, Dr. Ana Aznar? Ask for free today!
