Learn my simple technique to help children transition smoothly between tasks. The secret? Thinking about your thinking. 

There are so many topics under the vast umbrella of time management and executive functioning. Because there is so much to cover, I’ve decided to create (and share with you!) a 6-part video series on time management. This is part one!

In my private practice, I come across a number of students who struggle with time management and executive functioning skills. It shows up differently among different ages, but there’s no doubt that they all need help figuring out how to get a handle on upping their skills in these areas. Improving them will help not only for their time in school, but also in their careers and their life as a whole.

What is metacognition?

Long story short, metacognition is thinking about your thinking. And thinking about your thinking about your thinking about your thinking about your thinking (and on and on and on…)

People who “think about their thinking” can anticipate change, direct their own learning process, and learn more deeply.

How can we use breaks to successfully transition between tasks?

It’s important for a parent and a student (or a teacher and a student) taking a moment to pause together, think, and make a thoughtful choice about what comes next. A breathing technique I use can be super helpful in coming back from a break.

Pause. Take a deep breath together (or two or three, if the moment calls for it). Take stock of what is going on and how to move forward. “What is the next thing on my list to do? How can I most successfully move forward from this moment to complete the next task?”

With how quickly things move these days and the technology we have to assist in our daily life, metacognition can very easily go by the wayside and be forgotten. So, let’s practice our metacognition breathing break again.

Stop. Take a breath. Take stock of what’s to come on your list. And go! But go thoughtfully.

If they need more time before transitioning to the next task, I suggest using a visual timer. It helps to keep everyone “honest” and on the same page about exactly where you are in the task and how much time is left in your break.

Now that you have learned a new approach to thinking, I challenge you to try my technique with your children.

To connect with like-minded parents and educators and to learn more tips like these, check out my free Facebook group.