If you don’t read, then listen.
My wife remembers when the kids would ask (every day) “What are we doing today?” and there are plenty of reasons why a child wouldn’t know what the plan is for today. As their parents, we plan the daily, weekly, and monthly schedules but we are also cognitively able to picture the past, present and the future when many younger kids don’t have that ability… yet!
This is why having a calendar that the child can interact with is especially useful for their understanding of when things in their life will happen. The sooner a child can “zoom out” (my term) from their own existence, considering both spatial awareness as well as learning the ability to “map out time,” the sooner they will be able to become even more self confident, self aware, and self sufficient.
Here are some ideas for how kids can enjoy their Calendar
1.Start by marking their own birthday (kids LOVE this)
2.Next have them mark close family and friends birthdays
3.Definitely make note of when their tennis class is (which day and time)
4.Add other after school activities
5.You can give them control by hanging the calendar in their bedrooms
It’s likely your child is a long way away from being “in control” of their own lives but getting them a calendar to interact with on a daily basis is a wonderful stop toward, at least, understanding their own schedule.
Author: Shaun J Boyce
December 2021
