This article is designed to be utilized with the utmost professional integrity and ethical consideration. It is imperative to acknowledge that directly copying and pasting example goals into student’s IEPs from any external source, including ours, undermines the individualized nature of IEP planning and does not serve the best interests of students.
This resource aims to inspire the development of IEP goals that address executive functioning needs, not a substitute for the detailed, student-centered IEP goal setting process. Educators and IEP teams are urged to use this as a tool for ideation, basing final goals on student assessments and collaborative IEP team insights.
Does your child struggle with getting to school on time? Does he constantly underestimate how long it will take him to complete an assignment for school?
If you answered “yes!” to either of the above questions, there’s a good chance that time management might be an executive functioning area that your child struggles with.
Time management is crucial for success in any walk of life. From making it to appointments on time to being able to prioritize which tasks to do first, you’ve got to be able to manage your time effectively in order to be successful (and of course, to minimize your own stress and anxiety).
In this post, we’ll tell you more about what time management is – and provide you with a helpful guide that you can use to create and implement IEP goals for time management.
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or someone who struggles with time management, this post is for you.
Click here to jump down to the IEP goals.
What is Time Management?
There’s a saying out there that goes, “we all have the same 24 hours in the day – it’s up to you to decide how to use them.”
That saying is true. No amount of wealth can create more time. However, for someone who struggles with time management, those 24 hours might not look exactly the same as they do for someone else.
Time management skills are those that relate not only to understanding how time works but also how to use time effectively. They influence how you use your time – and also require an understanding of how our time management skills impact ourselves and those around us.
When you have good time management skills, you not only understand how long tasks will take but you can budget your time effectively and follow a routine with ease.
You can estimate time, allocate time appropriately, and meet deadlines. At home, in the classroom, and of course, in the workplace, time management skills are essential.
Sample IEP Goals for Time Management
As you write your child’s IEP goals for time management, consider these samples to help you on your way.
Adaptive Goals
- By the end of the IEP period, when given a timeline and checklist, [Student Name] will follow them to complete chores or homework by the assigned deadline in 90% of observed opportunities as measured by parent and teacher checklists.
- By the end of the IEP period, when provided a weekly planning template, [Student Name] will create a weekly schedule that allocates adequate time for all required activities in 100% of weekly planning sessions as measured by teacher review.
- By the end of the IEP period, when given assignment due dates, [Student Name] will complete and submit each assignment on or before the deadline in 90% of opportunities as measured by gradebook and teacher records.
- By the end of the IEP period, when provided time each morning, [Student Name] will create a daily to-do list that prioritizes tasks by importance in 100% of school days as measured by teacher observation.
Social Goals
- By the end of the IEP period, when given the scheduled start time, [Student Name] will arrive at social activities on time in 90% of events as measured by teacher logs.
- By the end of the IEP period, when working in a small-group project, [Student Name] will collaborate with peers to set an appropriate project timeline and meet agreed-upon checkpoints in 4 out of 5 group tasks as measured by teacher and peer feedback.
Reading Goals
- By the end of the IEP period, when given a reading assignment, [Student Name] will break the text into daily sections and follow the plan to finish by the due date in 90% of assignments as measured by teacher checks.
Math Goals
- By the end of the IEP period, when prompted with questions about time units, [Student Name] will accurately define and give examples of minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months with 90% accuracy across 4 out of 5 probes as measured by teacher data.
Writing Goals
- By the end of the IEP period, when assigned a writing task, [Student Name] will estimate the time needed and draft a writing plan that fits those limits in 100% of assignments as measured by teacher observation.
- By the end of the IEP period, when provided a rubric for a writing assignment, [Student Name] will use the rubric criteria to plan and schedule the essay process in 100% of assignments as measured by teacher review.
Tips on Setting Goals for Time Management
There is no minimum or maximum number of goals you should set in the IEP for time management. Make sure these are as personally tailored to the child’s needs as possible and consider the tips below to help you create them. Before writing any goals, it’s a good idea to take the Executive Functioning Assessment to see where to target your work.
Start With the Basics
One of the most important steps to learning effective time management is figuring out how to accurately estimate time.
Start with the basics. Talk with your child about how long they need for certain tasks. Their answers might surprise you! The time estimation activities included in our Real Life Executive Functioning Workbook (coupon code LSA20 for 20% off at checkout) are great at helping kids figure out how to estimate familiar tasks (like brushing their teeth) effectively.
Keep a Time Log
Another way to implement time management goals is to start keeping a log of what you do on the day to day. This doesn’t have to be very extensive or time-consuming. Simply jotting the start and end times down for all activities for a few days can be helpful. Again, you’ll find convenient worksheets to help you do this in the Real Life Executive Functioning Workbook.
Plan the Day – and Stick to a Routine
Once you can get on a solid routine, you’ll find that it’s easier to predict how much time various activities take – and to stick to that routine while also getting everything done that needs to be completed.
Using an app like HabitNow can help you develop and stick to a routine, as can using a Daily Planning Worksheet (again – check out the workbook for more details).
Reflect Often
If you (or your child) think a goal has been met, your work isn’t quite done! SIt down together and reflect. What went well? Are they on time? Are assignments being completed by the due dates? Have they been late for any appointments?
Reflect on what has gone well and what needs to be done in the future. Reflecting often on your goals is a great way to make sure you actually meet them – and that you continue to grow.
How to Address Each Goal
Here are a few more ways you can work toward specifically addressing each goal cited above.
Use Visuals
Visual tools are incredibly helpful when it comes to managing your time. We’re not just talking about posters and diagrams here, either.
The best part about the right kinds of visuals is that, although you’ll become better at managing your time without them eventually, you can continue to use them without worrying about becoming overly reliant. They’re practical skills and tools that are totally healthy to lean on!
Consider using some of the following to support your child as they learn how to better manage their time:
- Physical calendars
- Planners
- Virtual calendars (like apps on a phone)
- To-do lists and checklists
- Chore charts
Tailor Each Goal to Your Child’s Interests
If you can, try to make each goal as personally tailored to a child as possible. Of course, as we mentioned earlier, each goal needs to address each child’s unique strengths and weaknesses. However, it should also address their weaknesses.
Motivation is closely tied to time management. If you aren’t motivated to complete a task, then what’s going to help kick your butt into gear to do it? Try to provide incentives to help your child get the task done in a timely fashion – and incorporate activities they enjoy as part of the routine, too.
Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your Resources
Finally, don’t be afraid to look elsewhere for help! Tools such as the Executive Functioning Workbook will ensure that you are able to check off all the boxes on your goals list for time management. Plus, you’ll be able to work on improving other executive functioning skills, too, like those in planning and task initiation.
As a first-edition workbook, it can be printed off or downloaded as a PDF – meaning you can take it with you on the go! There are plenty of fun hands-on activities to help you meet your goals – many of which we’ve described briefly above, but also many other surprises to keep you hooked and motivated.
Your Next Steps
Now that you know how to write, set, and follow through with various time management goals, it’s time to get started.
Take things one day at a time. Focus on creating goals that are small, clear, and most importantly, actionable.
Take the time – pun intended – to set good time management goals, and everything else will fall into place.
Looking For More Executive Functioning IEP Goal Ideas?
Visit our EF IEP Goal Resource Hub or check out our other skill-specific IEP goal articles:
- 8 Impulse Control IEP Goals
- 8 Attentional Control IEP Goals
- 8 Self-Monitoring IEP Goals
- 10 Problem Solving IEP Goals
- 10 Working Memory IEP Goals
- 9 Emotional Control IEP Goals
- 7 Cognitive Flexibility IEP Goals
- 10 Organization IEP Goals
- 12 Task Initiation IEP Goals
- 10 Time Management IEP Goals
- 15 Planning IEP Goals
Further Reading
- Rebekah Pierce: The Benefits Of Setting A Daily Routine: How Schedules Can Help Your Child With Unique Learning Needs
- Amy Sippl: The 12 Time Management Skills to Teach Your Child Now
- Rebekah Pierce: A Step-By-Step Guide To Building A Daily Schedule
- Amy Sippl: Executive Functioning Skills 101: The Basics of Time Management
- Rebekah Pierce: How to Prioritize To-Dos in a Routine