Foresight - Helping Children Plan

Parenting involves a broad range of what to do and what not to do. Helping your child learn to plan from an early age by discussing the concepts of foresight and hindsight will be helpful in numerous ways.

Comprehension

Children learn best when they are young. They understand and comprehend much more than people give them credit for.

While driving, I remember conversing with my son as a toddler. We drove past turf farms, and the irrigation system was watering the grass. My son was in the 'why?' stage and asked many questions about everything he saw. I answered his questions, and he responded with another 'why?' each time.

I then provided a more extended answer, which included the topics of irrigation, the river system and the environment. My son then responded as if he understood, with a simple 'oh'. I wondered whether he understood. However, I suspect he did, as a few months later, we were in a city with a fountain, and he said, 'Look, mum, irrigation'. Kids are like sponges in their foundational years.

Language

Call on your child to use their foresight and hindsight. Naturally, you'd need to explain that foresight is thinking about the future, and hindsight is thinking about the past.

Ask them to use their foresight by thinking ahead and deciding whether to take their rain jacket or jumper because it might rain or get cold.

Share with them that taking their shoes off at the front door is a matter of planning and ensuring that the floors don't get as dirty when they are taken off when coming inside.

Talk to them about their hindsight and ask them what they would do differently next time to avoid the same mistake, whether it be not being able to find a particular toy or piece of clothing because it wasn't put back where it belongs.

Helping your child plan and reflect on past actions is helpful as it allows them to problem-solve and reduces frustrations in the home.

Anxiety Reducing

Helping children plan builds their confidence by preparing them for potential outcomes and reduces their anxiety through planning for possible situations.

Curiosity is triggered when they make plans and consider possibilities.

Not everything can be pre-planned, as life is full of surprises and spontaneous moments. However, some things are easier with a little bit of planning.

Let your child know why you check the weather before deciding what to wear for the day, talk about taking an extra snack along for someone who might forget to take one for themselves, and ask them how they would feel in class tomorrow if they don't get their homework done tonight.

Teaching your child to plan is more than a practical skill—it's a gift that will serve them throughout their lives, like every other character trait you help them develop.

To help you plan ahead, I've created a challenge for December 2024 to support you in praising your child daily by letting them know the positives you see in them. Click here to download.