Is your child paying the costs of switchtasking?
Most of us now know that switchtasking—commonly referred to as multitasking—isn’t good for our productivity at work. That’s wonderful news! However, are you aware that your children are most likely exposed to switchtasking, too?
During a recent interview on ABC News in Philadelphia, I talked about how many students have had to transition to remote learning in the same way adults have had to adjust to working remotely. This change opens the door to many new interruptions that our children aren’t used to handling. Some examples would be interruptions like a sibling wanting to play or their friends messaging them on their phone while they’re trying to learn online.
The costs of switchtasking are the same, regardless of age: an increase in time to complete tasks; a decrease in quality of work, and increased stress levels.
Here are some ways to reduce the switches in your child’s day:
- Remove devices such as phones or tablets from the learning space
- Schedule breaks during learning hours for a little fun
- Unplug as a family and spend quality time together
Do your children struggle with switchtasking? How do you help them avoid it?
Dave’s book, The Myth of Multitasking, explains how multitasking is a myth and is damaging to your productivity AND relationships. Learn more and order your copy at multitaskbook.com.
