Using Planners with your High School Students

by Lisa Nehring | Compass Blog, High-School, Homeschooling

While my younger two kids were homeschooling through high school, I was working. They were doing some rigorous academics and my time was divided. Both of them also participated in several extra-curriculars; music and karate, Latin National Exam, and Shakespeare Camp. You know, a typical homeschool schedule, full of fulfilling academics and activities! I’ll be honest, some days it was a real challenge; work competed with school, which competed with dinner which competed with the activities. But you know that old adage, when there’s a will, there’s a way!

Planners to the Rescue!

We got it all done by using Planners. A simple, but super effective tool that also teaches your kids some basic Executive Functioning Skills! That’s a definitive win in my book!

What ARE Executive Functioning Skills?

so, maybe you’re like me and you’ve heard of these skills. They sound important, but you’re not exactly sure what they are? No worries I looked them up for us! The 3 Main Aspects of Executive Functioning are:

• Working memory
• Cognitive flexibility
• Inhibitory control

Learning to use a planner assists or develops all 3 areas! Using some sort of time management system teaches flexibility as you manage all of the tasks and responsibilities. Managing one are (time and priorities is a transferable skill which can, which can lead to more inhibitory control. The very act of managing your time and priorities tends to dissipate some frustration over missed appointments or assignments. So, while teaching your kids to use a basic tool, you’re also developing some really valuable skills, to boot. That’s a big win for this Momma!

First, find a planner that works for each Individual

Let’s face it- we’re all different. In this family, that means everyone chooses a different planner. For example, I like Bullet Journals. I love creating a detailed calendar, having a place to take copious notes, brainstorm, brain-flow, and Venn diagram all in one place. My BuJu becomes my Common Place Journal and I find myself referring back past journals frequently!  My son likes a very structured planner with plenty of room for notes. He color coordinates his day and refers to it all day long. My daughter has a very girly planner where she keeps notes, doodles and writes comedy sketches. My husband is a Franklin Covey man from way back.

If it’s too structured, doesn’t leave enough room for doodles, notes or creative thinking or not structured enough when you need it, it’s a recipe for not getting used. With so many planners ont he market, there really is one for everyone. And a fun planner, one that makes you happy, is going to inspire you to dream as well as do!

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS CLASS

Help your kids learn the skills and tools they need to function in a complex world with this practical, hands on class. The class goes over the basics of Executive Functining Skills, is project based and perfect for kids who just can’t seem to “get it together” on their own.

The students will also be able to improve their day to day school and family life as we work in the following areas:

• making schedules
• creating a personal calendar
• creating short, effective lists
• tips to help our memory
• understanding how our actions affect others

Teach them to use it!

I sit down with my kids weekly when they hit jr high school throughout high school and talk them through planning their week. We usually do this on Mondays and plan to spend about an hour. That might seem like prime time wasted, but again, think of it as training! Kids might naturally think to put in the one-hour activity a week, but don’t’ think of drive time, gathering gear or prep time, putting things away when they get home or how that affects meals, if rush hour will slow them down or who else needs the car. Planning one activity takes executive thinking skills because every activity has a ripple effect!

Together, we’ll put in daily details, any upcoming due dates, overall big picture planning, on-going projects, monthly re-occurring things, church, music, school, sports and volunteer activities. Often kids don’t think to put recurring weekly meetings on their planner, because it’s part of their regular routine. But doing so allows them to see cause and effect of how one decision affects another. It also allows kids to see firsthand that saying yes to certain things means you are dedicating time and attention to that particular event over other opportunities.

And, for kids how struggle with ‘surprises” having things clearly written down ahead of time allows them to mentally get ready for transitions between activities. This cuts down on frustration as well as teaches kids that they can manage their own responses with good planning.

For visual learners, having a weekly visual can be really helpful. Seeing what times are filled allows you to say “no” to opportunities as they come up or move things around. For example, we did a morning meeting for many years, but as our schedule changed, it wasn’t possible to gather first thing. Looking at our weekly calendar allowed us to move that time together to after lunch- flexibility in action!

Keeping Track of Due Dates

In the past, our week revolved around an academic class day, and projects, papers and presentations were all due on that one particular day. Later we switched to more online classes and due dates were throughout the week. Learning to juggle due dates that occur throughout the week is helpful if you are preparing your kids for college, as that’s more a university model.

Moreover, using planners can enhance a child’s ability to manage stress and reduce anxiety. With a clear overview of their commitments and deadlines, children experience less overwhelm and gain a sense of control over their daily routines. By encouraging them to break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, parents can teach their children valuable problem-solving strategies that will serve them throughout their lives.

Family Meetings

Besides our weekly 1:1 Teen. Mom Planning Meeting, we have regular family planning meetings as we have several drivers and multiple cars, live out of town and often have engagements in the evening. This helps everyone to understand the overall plan and ensure that everyone is picked up on time!

Teaching children to use planners also cultivates a sense of responsibility and accountability. By being actively involved in their planning process, parents can foster open communication, discuss goals, and provide guidance when needed. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership, as children learn to set realistic expectations and take pride in their accomplishment

Invest in Thier Future!

Ultimately, teaching children to use planners is an investment in their future. It equips them with vital executive functioning skills that will serve as a solid foundation for success in all aspects of life. By promoting organization, time management, goal-setting, and self-reflection, parents empower their children to become capable, confident individuals who are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

So, embrace the power of planners and embark on this journey of fostering executive functioning skills in your children. By giving them the tools they need to plan, organize, and excel, you are setting them up for a lifetime of achievement and fulfillment. Together, let’s unlock their full potential and watch them soar to new heights.

Interested in Similar Content?

• Check out this video about how to Use Planners in Your Homeschool!
• What’s the Difference between Study Skills, Executive Functioning, Life Skills, Career Exploration and Personal Finance?
• Executive Funcitioning Skills and why they matter in your homeschool!

Study Skills

This class is perfect for kids who haven’t yet developed the Study Skills they need to live up to their full potential! Chock full of practical tools, tips and tricks to help your student achieve academic success! Enroll today!