I’m not going to waste time explaining why planning is important. As a parent, you already know.
Planning is the process of thinking about the activities required to achieve a desired goal. It involves using both logic and imagination to visualize not only the result, but also the steps necessary to achieve it.
Parents should encourage their children to ask themselves this question:
“What do I need to do in order to achieve this?”
As Napoleon Hill said:
“The successful leader must plan his work, and work his plan.”
Once you have your plan in mind, put it on paper in neat form and in full detail.
Steps to Teach Children How to Plan:
1. Write the Goal Clearly
I tell my children: “If you can’t write it, you don’t really know it.” The first step is always clarity. For example, instead of just saying, “I want to do my project,” they must write: “I want to finish my history project by Friday.”
2. Break It Into Smaller Steps
A big goal often feels overwhelming. So I ask my children to break it down into smaller, simple tasks. For example:
- Collect pictures and information
- Write an outline
- Make a chart
- Final copy
3. List the Requirements
Every task needs tools, time, or help. I guide them to ask: “What do I need for this step?” If it’s making a chart, they’ll write: chart paper, sketch pens, and one hour of time.
4. Set Time for Each Step
Children often think everything will take “just 10 minutes.” I help them estimate realistically: “How much time will this really take?” This teaches them respect for time and avoids last-minute stress.
5. Tick When Done
I tell my children to tick or cross out each step once it’s done. That small act gives them confidence. It shows progress and motivates them to keep going.
A Final Word on Planning
Planning gives children a roadmap. Instead of being stuck in worry, they can focus on action. A child who learns how to plan doesn’t get scared of big goals. They simply smile, take out their paper, and break it down into steps.
And here’s something crucial to remind them:
If the first plan doesn’t work, replace it with a new one. If that fails, replace it again. Keep doing this until you find a plan that does work. This is where many people fail not because they don’t plan, but because they lack persistence to create new plans when the old ones fall short.
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