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Original poster

Parents of 7 to 11 years old: Urgent feedback required

36 replies

YaseminSertoglu · 07/03/2015 16:17

Hello,

I need urgent feedback about the business I am working on.

The question is:

How does your child manage her projects? Think school projects, personal projects, family projects..

Do you give help?
Can they manage to divide the project into managable tasks?
How do they collaborate with teammates, if there are any?
How do they keep track of their progress?
Are there any issues that your child is struggling with regarding large projects?

Any kind of feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Yasemin.

OP posts:

Sunnyshine · 07/03/2015 16:22

Projects? She's 10. What exactly do you mean? Give an example?

Seekingtheanswers · 07/03/2015 16:26

She manages pretty well tbh. She doesn't need any help from an external business if that's what you mean! I can provide whatever help or support she needs.

HollyBdenum · 07/03/2015 16:30

Both at school and at home, my children are given age-appropriate tasks, so don't have to manage large projects without support from a parent or teacher.

Shallishanti · 07/03/2015 16:33

huh???
meaningless question
the answer is- 'it depends'

Original poster

YaseminSertoglu · 07/03/2015 16:34

Think of a school presentation, class newspaper, a tea party she organizes for her friends, creating a monster high video, etc..

Projects that require more than one task to complete...

OP posts:

Lonecatwithkitten · 07/03/2015 16:38

Only really school projects unless you count bedroom tidying and table laying.
I leave it to her as she insists on leaving it till the last minute and I can't be doing with the arguments. I may cut some pictures out that is the extent of my help.
It is her homework not mine, I have my own which I do in a timely manner.

MNHQ

IonaMumsnet · 07/03/2015 16:42

Hi folks

We're going to move this thread to our start ups board in a moment.

Seekingtheanswers · 07/03/2015 16:43

OP, are you considering offering some sort of "project management for kids" thing? If so, I'm afraid I can't see a huge demand for it.

Original poster

YaseminSertoglu · 07/03/2015 16:44

Yes, Lonecatwithkitten, these are the issues I am talking about:

How might make sure that kids take ownership of their responsibilities and complete them in a timely manner? How might we help them develop this life skill?

OP posts:

Curlygirly · 07/03/2015 16:52

Ds2 is 9 and needs to be 'micro managed' as he is so disorganised and is overwhemed without help.

Dd is 7 and can organise herself quite well. Needs help prioritising projects but then will get on by herself.

Seekingtheanswers · 07/03/2015 16:56

I have taught dd how to break projects up into bite sized chunks, and how to work back from a deadline so that she can plan what she needs to do and when. We have also talked about not leaving things until the last minute so that unexpected changes don't have a huge impact. Modelling this behaviour is also important.

I think it's important not to micromanage, though. Children learn best through experience and natural consequences.

Lonecatwithkitten · 07/03/2015 17:01

Yasemin you may them live by their decision if they have not chosen to get on with their homework they have to go and face the music with the teacher.
For organisation to be effective it has to come from inside yourself.
I say this as a single parent working long hours including nights and weekends running my own business that turns over 1M and doing a masters degree. So I lead by example, do as I do.

Original poster

YaseminSertoglu · 07/03/2015 18:24

I have started working on this idea just today and trying to understand if it is something worth pursuing. Here is a mock-up of the project I'm considering and asking questions about. Any feedback would be appreciated. Again, thank you.

Parents of 7 to 11 years old: Urgent feedback required

OP posts:

Needhelpwithadilemma · 07/03/2015 18:31

Honestly speaking, it's a good idea, but I can't see myself buying anything like that for use with my dc. I don't think we'd actually use it. Others might, though!

Visually, it's quite appealing.

Lonecatwithkitten · 07/03/2015 18:49

So I own an 11 year old stroppy madam. To be totally frank and honest she would hate it on several levels.

Since about 8 years old she has hated anyone telling her what to do when. She would see this as doing exactly that.
She would feel it was a bit babyish. She regularly uses apps like showbie, book maker and also microsoft publisher and would probably respond to a more adult view point.

fairgame · 07/03/2015 18:59

I quite like the idea. DS is 10 and has ASD so it would be a good way of helping him become independent with his basic tasks such as washing face, teeth brushing etc.
It would be good if there was an option to print out the planner to stick it on the wall as well for the days he isn't allowed on his tablet. He doesn't have any homework or school projects because he goes to a special school but i would definitely consider it for the things he needs to do at home.

juliedlondon · 07/03/2015 20:26

Hi Yasemin

I think it's a really interesting idea. I'm a working parent, so don't always have much time to check up on my childrens progress in their study and other activities.

If the children were able to manage this themselves - ie add their own projects, homework, other activities they would like to do in their free time I think this could empower them.

Perhaps they could "unlock" free time activities.

I think the interface is certainly aimed at a younger audience, so seeing it in use for a child a little older would be interesting.

TheoriginalLEM · 07/03/2015 20:29

projects? organising tea parties? really?? oookay

Original poster

YaseminSertoglu · 07/03/2015 22:22

:) Really. These are actual things my 8yo daughter is working on. Except school projects, they are self-initiated and I try to encourage her interests and efforts. The problem is, she jumps in without proper planning and creates some headache for herself and me :)

OP posts:

MerryMarigold · 07/03/2015 22:26

I have a 9yo. He doesn't organise anything. I feel bad now!

TheoriginalLEM · 07/03/2015 22:26

ah well my nine year old is too busy pretending to be a unicorn to worry about gant diagrams and forward planning. i do pay £££'s for a tutor as she is dyslexic but other than that i am in the let them be kids camp.

TheoriginalLEM · 07/03/2015 22:30

her tutor is PhD qualified in educational psychology and is really helping dd with her thought processes pertaining to reading and confidencr so i do feel its money well spent. What are your specific qualifications? are you a teacher?

Heels99 · 07/03/2015 22:31

My children are seven and they don't do projects they do 'topics'

MerryMarigold · 07/03/2015 22:36

Well, there are 'projects' as in he gets all his homework for the week on a Tuesday and this is divided into what should be done on each day (which doesn't happen) so it's just done on the weekend. I guess we could plan it a bit better. Dh is quite a high level PM, but I always joke he couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery!

Original poster

YaseminSertoglu · 07/03/2015 22:40

I live in Turkey and "project" is a term that is both at school and home. Having a project manager for a mother and role model also could have something to do with how she approaches her interests.

OP posts:

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