Children often have lots to keep track of. Writing plans down also known as “cognitive offloading” reduces load on working memory so it’s easier to plan-do-review with less stress and better follow-through.

How Planners Help

• Visual Organisation: Planners provide a clear overview of tasks and timelines, helping children see what needs to be done and when.

• Reduced Cognitive Load: With tasks written down, children don’t need to keep everything in their head, freeing up mental energy for the tasks themselves.

• Sense of Accomplishment: Ticking off completed tasks gives children a sense of achievement, boosting their confidence and motivation.

Daily or Weekly Planners

Use a daily or weekly planner to outline tasks, assignments, and deadlines. Encourage students to write down each task as soon as it’s assigned.

How this helps

Breaking the day into smaller parts makes tasks feel more manageable and keeps students focused on immediate priorities.

Colour-Coded Schedules

Assign different colours to various types of tasks, such as homework (blue), reading (green), or projects (yellow). Use this colour scheme consistently across their planner.

Colour-coding makes the planner more engaging and allows students to quickly differentiate between task types.

• Etzy

Checklists

Incorporate checklists into the planner where students can tick off tasks as they complete them. For example, “1. Write essay draft,” “2. Read pages 10–20 of textbook.”

This simple tool creates a visual record of progress, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment.

• SnapRevise - Classnotes

Digital Planners and Reminders

Introduce tools like Google Calendar or scheduling apps that can send reminders for upcoming tasks. Set notifications to pop up on their device.

Digital tools are particularly effective for older students, fostering independence while ensuring timely task completion.

• Google Calendar

• Todoist