Building planning and prioritization for student success

Key Takeaways

Audience Spotlight: Supporting Struggling Learners with Planning

Many parents of struggling learners notice that their children have difficulty organizing schoolwork, remembering deadlines, or deciding what to do first. These challenges are especially common in middle school, when assignments become more complex and expectations rise. If your child feels lost or frustrated, you are not alone. By focusing on building planning and prioritization for student success, you can help your child develop skills that make school and life less stressful. Your encouragement and patience are key as your child learns to break tasks down, set priorities, and make choices with more confidence.

Definitions

Planning means thinking ahead to identify the steps and resources needed to reach a goal. Prioritization is the process of deciding which tasks are most important and doing them first. Both are part of executive function skills, which help students manage time, organize materials, and make decisions.

Why Building Planning and Prioritization for Student Success Matters

Building planning and prioritization for student success is not just about finishing homework on time. It is about giving your child the tools to manage stress, handle setbacks, and grow more independent. Middle school is a time when students face new challenges, such as juggling multiple classes, extracurriculars, and social commitments. Without strong planning skills, many students feel overwhelmed or fall behind. Experts in child development note that executive function skills like planning and prioritization are just as important as academic knowledge for student achievement.

Many teachers and parents report that students who practice these skills early are better able to handle high school coursework and beyond. They find it easier to set goals, break work into manageable steps, and advocate for help when needed. This foundation supports not only academic success but also confidence and well-being.

What Makes Planning Skills for Middle School Challenging?

Middle schoolers are learning to balance more responsibilities, but their brains are still developing the ability to plan ahead and prioritize effectively. For struggling learners, tasks like organizing a binder, writing a research paper, or preparing for multiple tests can feel overwhelming. Barriers may include:

• Trouble estimating how long assignments will take
• Difficulty remembering what is due and when
• Feeling anxious about starting big projects
• Tendency to focus on less important or more enjoyable tasks first
• Challenges switching between school subjects

It is important to remember that these struggles are normal and not a sign of laziness or lack of care. Your child is developing skills that take time and practice to master.

Coaching Tips: How Parents Can Build Planning and Prioritization for Student Success

Start Small and Celebrate Progress

Begin with daily routines and simple tasks. For example, help your child make a checklist for getting ready in the morning or packing a backpack for school. When your child completes a step independently, acknowledge it: “I noticed you packed your homework folder first. That is great planning!” Celebrating these small wins builds motivation.

Use Visual Tools Together

Many students benefit from seeing plans written out. Try a family calendar, a whiteboard, or sticky notes to map out weekly assignments and activities. Sitting down each Sunday to review what is coming up can make the week feel more manageable. Encourage your child to cross off completed tasks for a sense of accomplishment.

Model Prioritization Out Loud

When you have a busy day, talk through how you decide what needs to be done first. For example: “We have groceries to buy and laundry to fold, but dinner is coming up soon, so I will start with shopping.” This helps your child learn to weigh choices and make decisions based on timing and importance.

Practice Breaking Down Bigger Tasks

Large projects can feel daunting for struggling learners. Sit together and break assignments into smaller steps. For a book report, you might list: choose a book, read chapters 1–3, take notes, write draft, and create a cover. Ask, “What should we do first?” and help your child estimate how long each part might take.

Encourage Use of Timers and Alarms

Time management tools like timers or phone alarms can prompt students to start tasks or take breaks. This is especially helpful for children who lose track of time or get distracted easily. Encourage your child to set a timer for 20 minutes of focused work, then take a short break before starting the next task.

Normalize Mistakes and Adjust Plans Together

Plans may not always work perfectly, and that is okay. If your child underestimates how long something takes or forgets a step, use it as a learning moment: “Looks like we needed more time for this. How can we plan differently next time?” This approach reduces guilt and builds resilience.

Everyday Scenarios: Bringing Planning Home

• School Assignments: Before starting homework, ask your child to look over all assignments and choose which to do first. Support them in thinking about deadlines and effort required.
• Chores: Turn household routines into planning practice. Ask, “What is the first step to cleaning your room?” or “What should we do before guests arrive?”
• Social Activities: If your child wants to hang out with friends, help them plan for homework and chores first. “How can we fit in both your math worksheet and time with friends?”

Each small moment is a chance to reinforce planning and prioritization in real life.

Executive Function Skills: The Heart of Planning and Prioritization

Executive function skills are like the brain’s management system, responsible for planning, prioritizing, and staying organized. These abilities are still developing in middle school, so it is normal for children to need support. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or ADHD, extra patience and step-by-step guidance will be especially helpful. Building planning and prioritization for student success is a gradual process, not a quick fix.

For more tips on supporting executive function, visit our Executive function resources.

Grade 6–8 Focus: Planning and Prioritization in Middle School

Middle school brings new academic and social pressures. Assignments are longer, schedules are busier, and students are expected to manage more on their own. At this age, planning skills for middle school become essential. Here is how you can tailor support for your middle schooler:

• Encourage your child to use a planner or digital calendar for tracking assignments and tests.
• Review upcoming deadlines together at the start of each week.
• Ask prompting questions: “What is due soonest? What will take the most time?”
• Help your child learn to say “no” or ask for extensions if they feel overloaded.
• Check in regularly but gradually encourage independence as skills grow.

Common Mistakes Parents Make—and How to Avoid Them

• Doing all the planning for your child: While it is tempting to organize everything, letting your child try (and sometimes stumble) is how they learn. Offer support but encourage decision-making.
• Assuming one system fits all: Some students like checklists, others prefer digital reminders. Experiment to find what works best for your child.
• Focusing only on schoolwork: Planning applies to all areas of life, from chores to hobbies. Use everyday experiences to reinforce these skills.
• Getting frustrated by setbacks: Progress is not always linear. Celebrate effort, not just perfect results. Remind your child—and yourself—that growth takes time.

What If My Child Resists Planning or Gets Overwhelmed?

It is very common for struggling learners to push back against new routines or feel anxious about planning. If your child resists, try these gentle strategies:

• Offer choices: “Would you rather make your to-do list in the morning or before bed?”
• Keep sessions short and focused; avoid marathon planning talks.
• Validate feelings: “I know this feels hard. Lots of students find planning tricky at first.”
• Use humor and flexibility to keep the mood light.
• Ask teachers for support if school assignments are unclear or overwhelming.

Remember, building planning and prioritization for student success is a journey. Your steady support makes all the difference.

Tutoring Support

If your child continues to struggle with planning, prioritization, or staying on top of assignments, you are not alone. K12 Tutoring offers personalized support to help students build these essential executive function skills. Our experienced tutors work alongside families to create step-by-step plans, celebrate growth, and build your child’s confidence for lasting success.

Related Resources

• The Importance of Family Routines – HealthyChildren.org
• How to Help Your Child Develop Time Management Skills – Parent.com
• 5 Fun Ways to Help Develop Your Child’s Planning Skills – Foothills Academy (foothillsacademy.org)

Trust & Transparency Statement

Last reviewed: October 2025
This article was prepared by the K12 Tutoring education team, dedicated to helping students succeed with personalized learning support and expert guidance. K12 Tutoring content is reviewed periodically by education specialists to reflect current best practices and family feedback. Have ideas or success stories to share? Email us at [email protected].