Procrastination, often perceived as a lapse in self-regulation, is characterized by postponing tasks despite knowing the potential negative consequences. The insightful words of Edward Young, an English poet renowned for his reflective works, ‘procrastination is the thief of time’ (Young, 1854), elegantly capture the essence of this habit, originating from the Latin ‘pro’ (for) and ‘crastinus’ (about tomorrow).
Procrastination Through History
Procrastination, often seen as a challenging habit, has also been a companion to many great minds throughout history. This tendency to delay is not just a modern phenomenon but has been observed in notable figures. For instance, Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, captured this aspect of human nature with his remark: “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” While his statement might bring a smile, it also reflects a deeper truth about the nature of procrastination. It is a reminder that procrastination is not just a widespread challenge, affecting about 20% of the population and particularly prominent among students (Hayat et al., 2020), but also a facet of the creative process for many.
Victor Hugo, the famous French writer known for ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,’ often struggled with procrastination. Hugo was said to have his servant take away his clothes to meet his deadlines, forcing himself to stay indoors and write. This extreme measure highlights how even celebrated authors struggled with delaying their work. Additionally, Margaret Atwood, a renowned Canadian author, once admitted to delaying her writing by sharpening pencils and avoiding her desk. These examples illustrate how procrastination has been an integral part of the creative process for some of the most esteemed individuals.
Procrastination in Children
Addressing Procrastination
Children sometimes struggle to manage their time effectively, which may make them feel overwhelmed and avoid tasks. However, parents can play a significant role in helping them get better at this. One great way is to create a fun and simple weekly schedule together. You can use colorful markers or a digital app and plan specific days for specific tasks. For example, decide that math homework is for Monday and Wednesday while reading is for Tuesday and Thursday. This makes planning more enjoyable and helps children understand how to organize their time. It is also important to be flexible and adjust the schedule. If you notice that specific tasks are taking longer than expected, it is okay to change things up. For instance, if a math assignment planned for 30 minutes takes an hour, it is a good idea to allow more time for similar tasks in the future. Adjusting the schedule based on actual experiences helps children learn the valuable skill of adapting to different situations and managing their time more effectively.
The fear of judgment, manifesting as a dread of embarrassment or disappointing adults and peers, is a significant concern for many children. This apprehension can severely impact their learning experiences and self-esteem. To combat this, engaging in open discussions about personal struggles and setbacks in learning can be extraordinarily effective. Parents and educators can share their experiences, demonstrating that facing challenges is a universal growth aspect. This approach humanizes the learning process, reassuring children that encountering difficulties is a natural, even necessary, part of development.
Further, encouraging children to perceive mistakes not as failures but as valuable learning opportunities fosters a more positive and resilient mindset. It teaches them that errors are acceptable and integral to the educational journey and personal growth. By normalizing the experience of making mistakes and learning from them, children can develop a more robust and forgiving approach to learning and self-improvement. This perspective helps them to embrace challenges with curiosity and confidence rather than fear, shaping their approach to learning and personal development in their formative years and beyond.
A common reason children procrastinate is a need for more interest in certain subjects, leading them to avoid these areas of study. While a ‘task and reward’ system can be useful, fostering intrinsic motivation is also important, making the learning process more engaging and relevant. One approach is to connect the subject matter to the child’s interests or real-life scenarios. For example, if a child is not keen on math, showing how mathematical concepts apply to their favorite sport, like calculating batting averages in baseball, can spark interest.
Another method is to involve children in interactive and hands-on learning experiences. Instead of just reading about science, they could conduct simple experiments at home, making the subject come alive and more meaningful. Storytelling can also be a powerful tool, especially for history or literature. Sharing stories about historical events or discussing the background of a novel can make these subjects more compelling and relatable.
Finally, providing positive feedback and acknowledging their efforts and progress, rather than just the outcome, can help build a child’s confidence and interest in the subject. This supportive approach helps them see the value in what they are learning and understand that their efforts are worthwhile, regardless of whether or not the task is intrinsically interesting to them. Parents can use these strategies to help children develop a more balanced interest in learning, thus reducing the tendency to procrastinate. Equip children with these skills and mindsets, and they will approach learning as an enjoyable and fulfilling endeavor.
By understanding what causes procrastination, parents can help their kids improve in school and life. Being patient, understanding, and encouraging can make a big difference. These approaches help kids not only with their schoolwork but also teach them important skills like managing their time, bouncing back from tough times, and being disciplined. Remember, each child is unique, so what works for one might not work for another. Whether it’s sharing stories of resilience, making learning more interesting, or teaching them to set their own goals, matching these strategies to your child’s needs and personality is important. A caring and personalized approach usually leads to the best results. This way, kids grow up confident, self-driven learners, ready to take on any challenge in school and beyond.
