Long Term Projects or Assignments

When a long term assignment or project is given to your child it can be overwhelming. Budgeting their time to complete the assignment can cause stress, anxiety, demoralization, and possible academic shutdown. When the child cannot handle these obligations this produces stress for everyone in the family.

Using their time wisely is extremely difficult for most special needs individuals. These students need to be taught how to use their time more efficiently; how long will it take to do a particular assignment and when they should start working on it so it will be completed on time.

Learning how to break down complex tasks are much easier to do when the required steps are written down and the target dates and checked off. Developing a flow chart and a daily schedule will help your child’s organization of these assignments as well.

By planning ahead and using effective time management can usually make long-term projects and challenges that at first seem overwhelming quite manageable.



Getting Down To the Nitty Gritty

Your child has been given a large assignment and a due date. The first reaction of most parents is to start pulling handfuls of hair out and wonder if God is punishing you for something terrible you have done. Rest assured, you are not alone, we all feel it and experience this terrible fate.

So what’s a parent to do?


1. Don’t panic!

Stay calm and take a few deep breaths. If your child sees that you are overwhelmed, they will feel totally overwhelmed too and the project will never get done. Be positive and try to exhibit a calm and collected façade and keep a stash of chocolate somewhere nearby for “those” moments when you need a quick pick me up.


2. Break it into small tasks.

To make sure that you tackle this horrendous beast and win big time, it is essential that you break it into small "easy" attainable tasks.


3. Prioritize your tasks.

Put what needs to be done in order of importance to get each item done. Create a list of steps needed to complete each task. It’s time to tame this monster and take control!


4. Set deadlines.

Set a realistic deadline for each step. Sit down with a calendar and think about how much time you will spend on each step and what you can complete in the time allotted. When each step is completed, the student can cross it off. Breaking assignments into measurable tasks makes it easier to complete and you will also do a better job.


5. Congratulate yourself on a job well done!

Parents, reward yourself for completing the assignment and not losing your temper. Teaching your child how to tackle such an undertaking will help them develop good time management skills and you will have a lot fewer gray hairs.