How to Manage Time and Why It Is Important: SEL for Kindergarten

What is time?

Time is a complex concept that brings order, opportunity, and meaning to life.

Before the invention of clocks, people used various tools to tell time and organize their activities. The most common that people used then until now is the sky. From the rise and descent of the sun to the appearance of the moon and stars at night, the presence and absence of light help people determine time. Since then, people have been following the dictate of time to accomplish tasks, plan activities, and celebrate important milestones or commemorate significant historical events.

Every "tick" and “tock” of time that passes is precious as it can never be regained. This is why every moment in time must be spent wisely and valued. This is the lesson that a girl named Rita learns in the story “Rita’s Bad Time.” Through this story, this evidence-based SEL lesson teaches kindergarten students the significance of time and how to use it effectively.

Rita is a girl who hates her clock as she feels that it bosses her around. Every morning, she hears its sound telling her to get up, and whenever she is playing, it calls her to come inside the house. Rita hates how the clock decides everything for her: when to eat, attend school, and come home. One night, when she tells her father to shut the clock off so it stops ordering them, her father explains that it is merely an instrument. Since she has not yet realized that time is a precious gift that is lost forever once it passes, her parents organize her time for her.

Afterward, the teacher elaborates on some parts of the story to clarify what they wish to convey. For example, the detail in which Rita wishes to shut off the clock to stop time aims for the students to understand that time continues to move forward no matter what. This is what makes time precious, which is why they must enjoy it by using it wisely.

Using provided materials, students participate in a fun activity that invites them to create and color a clock. This activity ends the lesson and helps students appreciate the value of time.

The goal of this lesson extends beyond just learning the concept of time; it also helps young learners understand that time is a valuable resource they possess. Therefore, they should be wise in spending it. The ultimate objective here is to develop self-management among kindergarten students by teaching them to effectively manage their resources.

Time management is a self-management skill essential for all ages. It empowers individuals to set priorities and make conscious decisions on allocating personal resources. By effectively managing time, kindergarten students can enhance their productivity, reduce stress, and achieve a greater sense of balance and fulfillment in their lives.