Use a timer to promote task-initiation

Does your child struggle to start assignments, but easily completes them once she gets going? One way to help your child initiate tasks is by using a short-term timer. Have your child set the timer for a short and feasible period of time (10-30 minutes works well, depending on your child’s age and the difficulty of the assignment). Then, ask her to commit to start working on her assignment at least until the timer beeps. Using the timer increases accountability, adds an element of predictability to your child’s work, and helps her get past the “hard part” by agreeing to a period of work she knows she can handle.