Good Systems · public information library

What can I do to help my child when time disappears when they are trying to get things done?

People come here to understand why something in everyday life feels harder, different or more costly than it should — and what might make it work better.

Short answer

Use outside time cues because children are still learning how time feels and passes.

What this can look like

Ten minutes can mean very little to a child who is absorbed.

Why it can happen

A visual timer, a “five minutes until shoes” reminder or a simple routine can make the next transition easier to see. The cue is a support, not a test.

What might help

Use a simple timer and a warning linked to the next event: “five minutes, then shoes.”

What the research helps explain

Executive-function research describes attention, working memory and flexibility as developing, limited and context-sensitive processes. Children benefit when adults make tasks clear, reduce unnecessary load and build skills without drawing conclusions from everyday difficulty.

What can vary

Children develop at different rates and behaviour can change with sleep, health, stress, learning, sensory environment, relationships and task design. A public page cannot assess or diagnose a child; seek appropriate advice for persistent, severe or concerning changes.

For this situation

For you, give the reminder before the rush point, not only once everyone is late.

More info and original sources

Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.