Mastering the Concept of Time for Your Child: A Parent's Guide
Written on
Understanding Time's Importance
Recently, I received an email from my son’s teacher, informing me that he was late for class again without a valid reason. This puzzled me because I had dropped him off well in advance of the start time. A quick call to the school clarified that he was indeed arriving on time but was then late to his first class. The teacher explained that he often goes to the bathroom shortly after arriving at school, causing his tardiness.
After school, my son confirmed that bathroom breaks were the reason for his lateness. This was surprising, especially since he used to play football and understood the significance of punctuality. It seemed that he did not perceive attending class with the same urgency.
The 5-Minute Rule
Since he had been late, I decided to leave home earlier the next morning, allowing him extra time to use the bathroom. During our drive to school, I aimed to impart a lesson on the importance of time. I emphasized the value of arriving at least five minutes early for any commitment, whether it’s school or, eventually, work. For instance, if class starts at 8:30, he should be seated by 8:25. The takeaway? Always strive to be early.
Time is a precious resource that, once lost, cannot be reclaimed. It’s easy to squander it, which is why we must learn to manage our time effectively.
A Personal Lesson on Punctuality
Reflecting on my own experiences, I recalled a time when I was about 22 and stationed at Camp Greaves with the 1st 506th Infantry, near the demilitarized zone in Korea. One afternoon, I was late to a formation and heard the First Sergeant call my name. I hurried to join the formation, feeling the weight of 100 pairs of eyes on me. That moment should have taught me the importance of being on time, yet it didn’t.
Months later, while my boss was on leave, I found myself in charge of a section of 10 soldiers, which included attending the First Sergeant’s morning meetings. Unfortunately, I was late to the first two meetings despite my best efforts. I noticed that the clock in the meeting room was fast, which I initially blamed for my tardiness. However, I realized I needed to adjust my own watch to match the First Sergeant’s time.
From that day forward, I set my watch seven minutes ahead. The next time I attended a meeting, I was punctual. This practice became a habit; I adjusted all the clocks at home to be fast. By doing this, I created a mindset where I believed I was late, which ensured that I arrived on time, and on occasion, even early.
The Value of Time Management
Have you ever tried to explain the concept of time to someone? It's a challenging yet vital lesson. Teaching children the significance of time management can help them navigate their responsibilities and commitments throughout life.
In the video "What Habits Are You Encouraging For Your Child?" you can gain insights on how to instill positive habits regarding punctuality and responsibility in your children.
Additionally, the video "Telling Time For Children - Learning the Clock" offers engaging methods for teaching kids how to read the clock and understand the flow of time.