Overscheduled kids know one thing for certain: every minute is precious.
They have so few! Every moment is committed to one event or another, a class project or a math test to study for, plus social commitments with their friends.
That’s why, when I’m with my students, I try to treat their time and attention with the respect it deserves. How do I respect their time?
- I try to use our time as efficiently as possible.
- I come with a clear plan.
- I limit additional time commitments to small ones or ones that have been pre-scheduled long in advance.
- I communicate commitments clearly and well in advance.
- I never go over the time we have scheduled.
I think students deserve our respect of their precious time. And I think that respecting their time has the added benefit of encouraging them to respect others’ time and use it wisely.