When Kids Avoid Tasks: Task Initiation Tricks That Actually Work
Does your child struggle to start tasks? Boost your child’s executive functioning skills with these task initiation tricks.
The Components of Task Initiation
Does your child put off tasks? This may not be laziness; she may struggle with task initiation.
Task initiation is the ability to start a task independently.
In order to begin a task, you have to know where to start. What is the crucial first step?
Task initiation may also require planning. What resources or supplies do you need to gather in order to get started?
The skill of task initiation helps people overcome procrastination, which is a person’s natural resistance to taking action (everyone is tempted by procrastination).
Why Kids Struggle with Task Initiation
Do you get frustrated when your child puts off tasks or ignores them altogether?
While certain tasks may not seem difficult to you, remember that task initiation is actually a skill to be learned.
Task initiation is one of the executive functioning skills (basically, the brain’s management system).
Task initiation requires planning, focus, and self-control (especially if the job is a non-preferred task like cleaning).
Kids with developmental delays or ADHD may struggle more with task initiation.
Like other executive functioning skills, your child’s ability to initiate tasks will improve over time (keep in mind EF skills don’t fully develop until the brain reaches full maturity around age 25 or so).
In the meantime, don’t get frustrated! You can help kids with strategies to get started on tasks.
Not only will the tasks get done, but you will also help your child learn the necessary skills to manage his life!
Fun Task Initiation Strategies
These tips and tricks are effective ways to help your child get started on tasks.
Sliding Checklist
Everything is more fun when it is tactile!
This visible schedule is a checklist where the child actually slides the black dot to mark the task as complete.
This pack comes with four sliding checklists. You can customize each checklist by writing the to-do items in each slot.
Turn everything from household chores, morning routines, homework assignments, and packing lists into slideable checklists.
Task Spinner
How do you motivate your child to complete nonpreferred tasks? Turn them into a game!
This dry-erase colored spinner lets you write the non-preferred tasks on each section of the pie.
Your child flicks the spinner and starts the selected task.
To make the game even more fun, include some preferred tasks on the spinner as well, such as coloring a picture, listening to your favorite song, or chewing a stick of gum.
“Just Do Two Minutes”
Often, non-preferred tasks (such as putting away clothes) can be done quickly if started.
You know this, but your child is intimidated by the task.
Encourage them to begin with the phrase, “Just do two minutes.”
Set an electronic timer and have them work steadily during that time.
For more visual reinforcement, use a visual timer that displays shorter times, like this ten-minute timer.
If you want a visual timer app, try Time Timer.
Even if you help them to finish the task after the two minutes, you are showing them how to begin independently (and that’s task inititation!).
Beat the Timer
This is a variant of “Just do two minutes.”
Ask your child to guess how long a task will take (keep the tasks short at first).
Then set a timer for that time and see if the child can beat the time? Get him a high five and some praise if he can.
While the task may not be completed perfectly, remind yourself that you are working on task initiation, not perfect execution. Celebrate the win!
Song Timer
This is another variation of a timer challenge.
For non-preferred tasks, use a song as a timer. Choose a song that is an upbeat favorite for active tasks. For mental tasks, go with a quiet, soothing song for mental tasks.
Use the song (or playlist for longer tasks) as a timer. Music boosts mood and helps time to pass.
It turns out you can empty the entire dishwasher to the BeeGee’s “Staying Alive” and have fun doing it!
Checklist Momentum
Do you get a little surge of pleasure when you check an item off a list?
Tap into that power with the strategy of checklist momentum.
For larger tasks, like “complete your math homework,” you can build checklist momentum to help with task initiation.
Here’s how it works: Start a checklist with smaller, easy-to-accomplish tasks. Then build to the harder ones.
For example, in the case of math homework, make a checklist that goes like this:
- Get out a pencil with an eraser.
- Sharpen the pencil if needed.
- Get out your math worksheet.
- Put your name on the top of the worksheet.
- Read the directions.
- Complete the worksheet.
Each item on the list should have a checkbox next to it (or use a slideable checklist).
The simple tasks at the beginning help build the momentum so the math homework feels less daunting.
Body Doubling
Sometimes simply the presence of another person helps with task initiation and focus, even if that person is not doing anything to help with the task. That’s body doubling.
Another person’s presence adds a level of accountability, which helps the child focus and complete the task.
For daunting tasks, a reassuring presence of another person can keep the child from getting overwhelmed.
What do you need to do to body double? Just be there! It is the perfect time to quietly focus on your tasks, like cleaning or working on the computer.
Your presence is all that’s required.
Dice Roll Minutes
Roll a die or dice to decide how many minutes a child should devote to a task before taking a break.
Character Mode
Kids (especially those with active imaginations) will enjoy tasks more if they get to be characters who complete the tasks.
Turn checklists into imagination games!
For example, they can be a superhero who flies from bathroom to bathroom, wiping down sinks.
Or they can be a host of a decorating TV show who sets the table for dinner.
Story Starters
Tie a task to a story to make participation more fun.
For example, if you need your child to pick up clothes and put them in the hamper, say, “The laundry monster needs feeding!”
To turn the bedtime routine into a story, say the bed is a rocket ship that will only blast off if you (the astronaut) has brushed teeth, put on pajamas, and climbed in bed.
If you need your child to clean the room, you could tell a story where your pet cat is the boss, and she will inspect the room once your child has cleaned it. She is a picky boss!
Be creative! Tasks become more fun with imagination.
Task Initiation Tricks
If your child struggles to start tasks or avoids them altogether, don’t get angry. Get creative!
Help them practice the executive functioning skill of task initiation with these fun and effective strategies.
