How you can help make your kids productive
Do you remember a time when kids would play outside until the street lights flickered on, the sign it was time to head home?
Those were the times when the outdoors was our playground, where we invented games, made up stories, and got our fair share of fresh air and sunshine. But today, it seems like those days are slipping away. Instead of the warm glow of the streetlights, many of our children are now more familiar with the cold, blue light shining from their screens—whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
As technology continues to weave itself into every corner of our lives, it’s natural to wonder what impact this shift is having on our kids. Not only is the posture and spinal health of a growing child becoming a serious concern, but what happens when they spend more time in virtual worlds than in the real one? While the long-term effects of abundant screen time on physical and mental health are still unfolding, it’s clear that we need to address this issue now. The good news is that we don’t have to be passive observers. Instead, we can get creative and proactive in finding solutions.
One idea is to draw on what we know about productivity and well-being. By teaching our kids how to balance their digital lives with real-world activities, we can help them cultivate a life they’ll love—not just today, but in the future too. This means encouraging them to explore their interests, develop new skills, and pursue passions that will enrich their lives beyond the screen. After all, it’s not just about limiting screen time; it’s about creating a life that is so fulfilling that the screens become just one small part of a much bigger, brighter picture.
It starts with these 6 steps that will help make your kids more productive:
Identify Their Values
A value is simply something you want to gain or hold onto—something that’s important to you. For adults, this might be things like health, career success, or financial abundance. But when it comes to kids, it’s best to keep things simple.
A great way to identify what really matters to your child is by asking, “What do you love?” Think about when your kids are at their happiest—chances are, they’re doing something that aligns with a value of theirs. On the flip side, when they’re feeling down, it’s often because they’re missing out on something that matters to them.
This simple question can be a powerful tool for uncovering a few key desires that can serve as a source of self-directed motivation for your kids. By helping them recognize what they truly value, you empower them to chase after what brings them joy and fulfillment.
Set A Goal
Is it getting frustrating to constantly remind your kids about what they need to get done? Imagine how different things could be if their daily tasks were connected to something they actually chose for themselves.
Suddenly, mowing the lawn or applying for a job becomes a lot more appealing when they know that the money they earn is going towards something they truly care about—whether it’s saving up for a new bike, contributing to a hobby they love, or reaching a personal goal they’ve set for themselves.
By tying their chores and responsibilities to a value-based goal they’re excited about, you’re giving them a reason to stay motivated and engaged. It’s no longer just about getting things done—it’s about working towards something they genuinely want, making those everyday tasks feel a whole lot more rewarding.
Teach Time Blocking
Now that your child has pinpointed some of their values and chosen a goal that really matters to them, it’s time to focus on getting the work done! But don’t expect them to navigate this step all on their own—this is where setting up some helpful guardrails comes in.
Start by carving out their Personal Time. This is the time when they’re free to do what they enjoy, within the boundaries of your family’s rules and values, of course! It’s important for them to have this freedom to recharge and explore their interests.
Next, make sure to set aside time for school, learning, and activities—what we can call Work Time. This helps ensure they’re meeting their responsibilities while staying on track with their education and personal growth.
Finally, the real magic happens during Prep Time. This is when your child focuses on completing the specific to-dos that will help them achieve their goals. By setting aside dedicated periods for Prep Time, you’re helping them develop the discipline and focus they need to turn their dreams into reality. With these structured blocks of time, your child can balance work and play while making steady progress toward what they truly want.
Evaluate Their Progress
At the end of each week, it’s a great idea to carve out 15-30 minutes during the final Prep period to reflect on what’s been accomplished, celebrate the wins, and discuss any challenges faced along the way. This dedicated time isn’t just about checking off a to-do list—it’s an opportunity to acknowledge progress, build confidence, and reinforce the value of their hard work.
By taking a moment to recognize their efforts, you’re creating a positive reinforcement loop that motivates them to keep going. It’s a chance to highlight what went well and brainstorm ways to overcome any obstacles that popped up during the week. This discussion not only boosts their morale but also fosters a growth mindset, encouraging them to view challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement.
Additionally, this weekly review acts as a mental reset, helping your child clear their mind and head into the weekend feeling accomplished and at ease. It sets the stage for a fresh start in the week ahead, with a clear plan and renewed energy. Plus, these regular check-ins create a rhythm and structure that makes the journey toward their goals feel both manageable and rewarding. By making this review process a habit, you’re helping your child develop a lifelong skill of reflecting, learning, and growing from their experiences.
Reward Their Productivity
It’s common to set up rewards for achieving specific outcomes, but this approach can sometimes lead to unintended negative consequences. Focusing solely on the end result can create pressure and even discourage effort if things don’t go as planned. Instead, it’s far more effective to tie rewards to the consistent effort and behaviours that actually lead to those outcomes.
By rewarding the process rather than just the result, you’re encouraging your child to develop good habits and a strong work ethic. This approach helps them understand that it’s the repeated effort and dedication that ultimately brings success.
Of course, it’s crucial to tailor these expectations to each child’s age and abilities. A 4-year-old can’t be expected to concentrate on a single task for an entire morning, but a 15-year-old can certainly manage that level of focus. By setting realistic goals based on your child’s individual capabilities, you’re setting them up for success while keeping their motivation high. This way, they learn to appreciate the value of consistent effort, and the rewards become a natural part of their growth and development, rather than just a fleeting prize at the end of the journey.
Make Revisions as needed
Every 60 to 90 days, it’s important to take a step back and, along with your weekly reviews, dedicate some extra time to see the bigger picture.
- Have any of your child’s values shifted or become more defined?
- Which goals have been achieved, and which are still in progress?
- Has a new and exciting goal caught your child’s interest?
Taking this broader view every two to three months—or even more frequently for younger children—helps ensure that your child stays aligned with what truly matters to them. It prevents them from getting stuck working toward something they’re no longer passionate about and keeps the journey engaging and relevant. By regularly reassessing their values and goals, you can help them stay motivated, make adjustments as needed, and continue to pursue what genuinely inspires them. This ongoing reflection is key to maintaining their enthusiasm and commitment throughout the process.
As parents, we have the opportunity to shape not just what our children do, but how they approach life’s challenges and rewards. By focusing on the process and making room for growth and adaptation, we can help them develop lifelong skills that will serve them well beyond childhood. In doing so, we’re not just guiding them to be more productive toward immediate goals—we’re empowering them to build a life they love, one that’s full of purpose, passion, and possibility.