Time and Attention Management · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Managing your time and attention

Personal & Social Development · Self-Regulation & Resilience · ages 9-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which of these is most likely to pull your attention away from homework?

    • A quiet desk
    • Your phone buzzing with messages
    • A pencil and paper

  2. You have homework, a chore, and want to play a game. What's a sensible plan?

    • Do homework first, then the chore, then play the game
    • Play the game first, then do homework and the chore
    • Do the chore, then play the game, and skip homework

  3. Managing your own time means you still need someone to remind you to start the boring task.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Zoe keeps getting distracted by the TV in the next room while she studies. What is a good strategy for her?

    • Move to a room without a TV until she finishes
    • Turn up the TV volume so she can hear it clearly
    • Study only during her favorite show

  5. Leo has three tasks: a 10-minute chore, a big project due tomorrow, and reading for fun. Which order makes the most sense?

    • Reading first, then the chore, then the project
    • The chore first, then reading, then the project
    • Project first, then the chore, then reading

  6. The chart shows Noah's study time. How many minutes did he lose to phone checks?

    Homework20Phonechecks15

    Answer: ______________

  7. Every day at 4pm, Jack's mom has to remind him three times to start his homework before he can play outside. What does this tell us?

    • Jack should be allowed to play outside first every day
    • Jack is managing his time well because he always finishes eventually
    • Jack still needs reminders to start the less fun task, so he hasn't built this skill yet

  8. Mia says her plan is: 'First I'll watch two shows, then maybe start my project if I have time.' What is wrong with her plan?

    • Nothing, watching first is fine since she has all evening
    • She put the fun activity before the important task, so the project might not get done
    • Her plan has too many steps
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Managing your time and attention W1-mt_HoJGVsMO7H-s1

  1. Your phone buzzing with messages · A buzzing phone is one of the most common distractions when you're trying to focus.
  2. Do homework first, then the chore, then play the game · Doing the important task first means you can enjoy your game afterward without worrying about what's left.
  3. False · The whole point of managing your own time is starting the less fun task without being reminded.
  4. Move to a room without a TV until she finishes · Moving away from a distraction is often easier than trying to ignore it while it's right there.
  5. Project first, then the chore, then reading · The project is due soonest and needs the most focus, so tackling it first while you're fresh makes sense.
  6. 15 · The phone checks bar shows 15 minutes pulled away from his homework time.
  7. Jack still needs reminders to start the less fun task, so he hasn't built this skill yet · Managing your own time means starting the harder task without needing repeated reminders.
  8. She put the fun activity before the important task, so the project might not get done · Starting with the most enjoyable activity often means the important task gets rushed or skipped.
Worksheet · LightMySky