Learn how your child can complete projects within deadlines while working effectively in a team without rushing around at the end. Archana was fed up with her son Rohit whenever he had to do his class projects. Rohit would waste his time initially and then run around at the last minute to complete his projects on time. Although he managed to get the work done before the deadline, she could not figure out why he could not do things more efficiently. There had to be some way of improving the situation. Completing a particular task within a certain timeframe can be difficult for a child and sometimes for his parents. Especially when he may have to work with a team of people. In such a case, it often falls to you to keep track of what each person is doing to ensure that your child does not fall behind. At times, tempers may rise and arguments may take place. However, if you get your child to remember some rules, working in a group can be an easy experience for your offspring. In this articleHave realistic expectationsWrite down goalsSelect the proper teamCommunicate effectivelyOrganise informationHave realistic expectations The most important rule to keep in mind is to ensure that your child never takes on more than he can handle. Sometimes a project has an extremely short deadline and your child may be expected to do a lot of work on it. Frankly ask him if this is possible in the given timeframe. If not, explain the situation to his teacher. If you inform the teacher in advance, she may ask another student to assist him so that the work is completed by the given deadline. If you are the one allocating the work, ensure that you are not dumping an impossible task onto your child. Write down goals When your child has to work on a project, it is always a good idea for him to write down what he has to do, and the timeframe in which he has to complete the work. This gives him a solid reminder and is better than mentally trying to keep track of things. It also helps to break up the work into smaller parts—get him to follow it up with a checklist, so that he can tick off each task as he finishes it. He will then know exactly how much work is left and will be able to adjust his time accordingly. Select the proper team In some cases, children may need to work on a project as a group. If your child is in charge of the project, it will usually be up to him to select his team. Ask him to evaluate each persons skills and talents when selecting. Also, have him make sure they are capable of functioning effectively in a team environment. Ensure that he avoids picking people who have a history of conflict with each other. Explain to him that this will only upset the balance and affect the productivity of the entire team. Communicate effectively Communication is the key to teamwork. All team members should inform the person in charge when they complete their assigned tasks. This ensures that the leader is up to date on the status of the project. He could also maintain a status report, which can be sent out to all team members at regular intervals. This informs each person how much work has already been completed and how many tasks are left to complete. It indicates whether work on a project is progressing as scheduled or lagging behind in any area. Organise information Your child should always know where exactly all his information is kept. At any time, if he is required to refer to something or send it to a classmate, it should be easily accessible to him. If his data is unorganised, he will be wasting his own, and his classmates, precious time. If he is careless, it might even result in loss of data. If possible, have a designated area where he can keep his completed files, so that he will not have to frantically search for them when he needs something. There is no reason why completing a project comfortably within a deadline cannot be achieved by a child. Finishing work long before it is due gives the child, as well as his parents, a sense of achievement. All it takes is a little careful planning.
Learn how your child can complete projects within deadlines while working effectively in a team without rushing around at the end. Archana was fed up with her son Rohit whenever he had to do his class
projects. Rohit would waste his time initially and then run around at the last minute to complete his projects on time. Although he managed to get the work done before the deadline, she could not figure out why he could not do things more
efficiently. There had to be some way of improving the situation.
Completing a particular task within a certain timeframe can be difficult for a child and sometimes for his parents. Especially when he may have to work with a team of people. In such a case, it often falls to you to keep track of what each person is doing to ensure that your child does not fall behind. At times, tempers may rise and arguments may take place. However, if you get your child to remember some rules, working in a group can be an easy experience for your offspring.
Have realistic expectations
The most important rule to keep in mind is to ensure that your child never takes on more than he can handle. Sometimes a project has an extremely short deadline and your child may be
expected to do a lot of work on it. Frankly ask him if this is possible in the given timeframe. If not, explain the situation to his teacher. If you inform the teacher in advance, she may ask another student to assist him so that the work is completed by the given deadline. If you are the one allocating the work, ensure that you are not dumping an impossible task onto your child.
Write down goals
When your child has to work on a project, it is always a good idea for him to
write down what he has to do, and the timeframe in which he has to complete the work. This gives him a solid reminder and is better than mentally trying to keep track of things. It also helps to break up the work into smaller parts—get him to follow it up with a checklist, so that he can tick off each task as he finishes it. He will then know exactly how much work is left and will be able to adjust his time accordingly.
Select the proper team
In some cases, children may need to work on a project as a group. If your child is in charge of the project, it will usually be up to him to select his team. Ask him to evaluate each person's skills and
talents when selecting. Also, have him make sure they are capable of functioning effectively in a team environment. Ensure that he avoids picking people who have a history of conflict with each other. Explain to him that this will only upset the balance and affect the productivity of the entire team.
Communicate effectively
Communication is the key to teamwork. All team members should inform the person in charge when they complete their assigned tasks. This ensures that the leader is up to date on the status of the project. He could also maintain a status report, which can be sent out to all team members at regular intervals. This informs each person how much work has already been completed and how many tasks are left to complete. It indicates whether work on a project is progressing as scheduled or lagging behind in any area.
Your child should always know where exactly all his
information is kept. At any time, if he is required to refer to something or send it to a classmate, it should be easily accessible to him. If his data is unorganised, he will be wasting his own, and his classmate's, precious time. If he is careless, it might even result in loss of data. If possible, have a designated area where he can keep his completed files, so that he will not have to frantically search for them when he needs something.
There is no reason why completing a project comfortably within a deadline cannot be achieved by a child. Finishing work long before it is due gives the child, as well as his parents, a sense of achievement. All it takes is a little careful planning.
