Parent strategies for planning and setting priorities

Key Takeaways

Audience Spotlight: Supporting Struggling Learners in High School

Many parents of high school students notice their teens have trouble keeping up with assignments, managing multiple demands, and deciding what to focus on first. If your child is a struggling learner, you are not alone—many families face these challenges. The good news is that parent strategies for planning and setting priorities can be taught, and your support is key to helping your teen succeed. By understanding the unique needs of struggling learners, you can create a nurturing environment that encourages growth and builds resilience, even when setbacks happen.

Definitions

Planning and prioritization are executive function skills that help students organize tasks, set goals, and decide what needs attention first. These skills are essential for academic success and independence in high school and beyond.

Why Planning and Prioritization Matter in High School

High school is a time of increasing expectations. Teens juggle coursework, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, and social lives. Without strong planning and prioritization skills, it is easy for students to feel overwhelmed, fall behind, or lose motivation. Many teachers and parents report that students who learn to break down assignments, estimate how long tasks will take, and set realistic goals are more likely to stay organized and experience less stress.

Experts in child development note that executive function skills like planning and prioritization do not always develop on their own. They often need explicit practice, especially for struggling learners. Your involvement—as a coach and cheerleader—can make a real difference in your teen’s confidence and ability to manage their time.

Parent strategies for planning and setting priorities: Where to begin

It is normal to feel uncertain about where to start, especially if your teen resists help or becomes frustrated easily. The following parent strategies for planning and setting priorities are designed to be approachable and adaptable. Try starting with one or two ideas, and adjust as you learn what works for your family.

• Model planning out loud: Let your teen hear you talk through your own daily priorities. For example, “I have three things to do before dinner. First, I will answer work emails, then I will pick up groceries, and last, I will call Grandma.” This normalizes planning as a daily habit.
• Set up a shared calendar or planner: Help your teen choose a system that works for them (paper, app, or wall calendar). Sit down together each week to review upcoming deadlines, appointments, and events. Ask guiding questions: “What is coming up this week? Which tasks are most urgent?”
• Practice breaking down tasks: Large projects can feel intimidating. Teach your teen to list out smaller steps for each assignment. For example, instead of “study for biology test,” break it into “review notes,” “make flashcards,” and “quiz myself.”
• Use visual supports: Color-coded lists, sticky notes, or digital reminders can help struggling learners keep track of priorities. Consider using checklists or calendars that are visible in their workspace.
• Encourage reflection and adjustment: At the end of each week, ask your teen what went well and what was hard. Together, brainstorm ways to adjust their planning for next time. This builds self-awareness and resilience.

How can I help teens set priorities when everything feels urgent?

Many parents worry when their teen insists that “everything is important” and struggles to differentiate between urgent and less urgent tasks. This is a common hurdle for high school students, especially those who are still building executive function skills. Here are some steps you can take:

• Teach the difference between important and urgent: Use real-life examples. “Your math test tomorrow is urgent and important. Organizing your closet is important, but not urgent.”
• Use a priority matrix: Draw a simple four-quadrant chart with your teen: Urgent/Important, Not Urgent/Important, Urgent/Not Important, Not Urgent/Not Important. Place tasks in each section to visualize what needs attention first.
• Encourage time estimation: Ask your teen to guess how long each task will take. This helps them see that some tasks can be done quickly and do not need to be put off.
• Set limits together: If your teen is overloaded, work together to decide what can be postponed, delegated, or dropped from the list. It is okay to say no or adjust expectations.

Remember, your teen may need repeated practice and reminders. Celebrate small successes to reinforce their progress. For more information on executive function, visit our executive function resources page.

Planning and Prioritization Strategies for High School Struggling Learners

Struggling learners in high school often need extra support with organization, time management, and motivation. Parent strategies for planning and setting priorities can be especially helpful when tailored to your teen’s strengths and challenges. Here are practical tips:

• Create a consistent routine: Set regular times for homework, meals, and relaxation. Predictability can reduce stress and help teens focus on what matters most.
• Chunk tasks and use timers: Break work into short, focused sessions (15-30 minutes) with breaks in between. Timers help teens stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
• Check in, but avoid micromanaging: Offer guidance and encouragement, but resist the urge to take over. Ask open-ended questions like, “What is your plan for finishing your essay?” instead of giving direct instructions.
• Celebrate effort and improvement: Notice and praise when your teen tries a new strategy or makes progress, even if results are not perfect. This builds motivation and resilience.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Doing it all for your teen: While it is tempting to rescue your child when they struggle, this can prevent them from learning independence. Instead, guide and support them through the process.
• Setting unrealistic expectations: Expecting instant mastery of planning and prioritization can lead to frustration. Progress is often gradual, with ups and downs along the way.
• Focusing only on academics: Remember that planning and prioritization skills also apply to chores, hobbies, and social commitments. Encourage your teen to practice in all areas of life.
• Ignoring emotional barriers: Anxiety, low confidence, or feeling overwhelmed can block progress. Address your teen’s feelings with empathy and patience.

Building Executive Function Skills at Home

Executive function is a set of mental skills—including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control—that helps students manage their thoughts, actions, and emotions. By practicing parent strategies for planning and setting priorities, you are helping your teen strengthen these crucial skills. Over time, this leads to increased independence, better academic performance, and greater self-confidence.

Encourage your teen to take ownership of their planning process. It may help to set aside a weekly “family planning session” where everyone discusses upcoming tasks and shares strategies. You can also explore additional resources on time management and study habits for more ideas.

Tutoring Support

Every student is unique, and some teens may need more individualized support to build their planning and prioritization skills. K12 Tutoring partners with parents to offer expert guidance, personalized strategies, and caring encouragement. Whether your child needs help practicing new routines or overcoming setbacks, our experienced tutors can help your family find what works best. Together, we can support your child as they learn, grow, and gain independence.

Related Resources

• 6 Ways to Help Your Child Become Better at Prioritization – Beyond BookSmart
• Provide Learners With Tools to Prioritize Their Time
• Teaching Time Management Skills in Grades 3-12 – Edutopia

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].