Q: My daughter has always been a good student. But since she started high school, she has been overwhelmed by the homework. When she is assigned a big project or paper, she puts it off until the last minute, even turning it in late, which is starting to affect her grades. What are strategies for better time management?

When students start high school they are coming from a place in which they still have middle school time management skills, said the Family Project panel.

“Good time-management skills start off with a good bedtime routine,” said panelist Mike Daniels.

“When kids get to high school and they start to lose track of their school work, they need to put it in a schedule,” agreed panelist Joanne Raftas.

“A child may not want to ask for help but a parent needs to step in. If she has a project, she has to look ahead and figure out how to delegate her time to get to the end,” Raftas said.

Raftas said it’s all a part of executive function in the brain, in which skills are developed that help us focus, plan, prioritize, work toward goals and self-regulate behaviors. Executive function skills begin to develop in the first year of life but are not fully developed until early adulthood.

“Scheduling is a chore and it takes serious executive function to realize that a chore is essential for a good life,” Daniels added.

“Look at her current schedule. Start from that and create a new schedule. Make sure it includes entertainment. It’s important to have a hook. Ask her, ‘Wouldn’t be great if could spend two hours on the phone? You could if you get all work done,’” Daniels said.

Daniels said that it will get easier as she follows her schedule and creates muscle memory in her brain. When a task is repeated over time, the brain creates a long-term memory, eventually allowing it to be performed with no conscious effort.

“Don’t let it go for her to fail. Then it will become a battle and create more stress. No kid wants bad grade,” Raftas said.

“If she is struggling, she may shut down. It may be hard for her to accept she doesn’t have good study skills, especially if she has does done well in the past,” Raftas added.

“It might take a couple bumps and bruises for her to realize she has to do something,” agreed Daniels.

She also could talk to a teacher about time management or ask a friend who is well organized for advice, Daniels suggested.

“If she starts slipping, you can step in and ask, ‘How’s that paper coming?’” Daniels said.

This week’s panel: Joanne T. Raftas, registered play therapist and counselor, and Mike Daniels, LCSW, Psychotherapist.

Have a question? Email Mike Daniels: mikedlcsw@outlook.com

The Family Project is a collaboration of the Lehigh Valley Press Focus section and a panel of independent child-health professionals.

The Times News, Inc., and affiliates (Lehigh Valley Press) do not endorse or recommend any medical products, processes, or services or provide medical advice. The views of the columnist and column do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lehigh Valley Press. The article content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified health-care provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.