Kids’lives tend to only get busier as they get older, and an important skill to help them both now and as they grow up is good time management. Try these strategies to keep your teen on track this school year.

Learn to prioritize

Start by giving teens a problem they can relate to. For instance, they know if they have money, from a birthday or a summer job, they can afford to buy one thing and not another.

Teach them that time works the same way. They can spend that time on whatever they want, just like their money, but they’ll need to prioritize tasks to get the outcome they want.

Use tools

Instead of imposing a tracking system that might work for you, help your teen navigate the available tools for themselves.

Letting them pick gives them some skin in the game, which means they’re more likely to use the tools.

Systems not reminders

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends focusing on systems, not reminders. Ask your teen to create ways of reminding themselves to do things instead of doing the reminding (read: nagging) for them. And let them fail once in a while. That’s how they learn.

Teach by giving chores

Reinforce time management by assigning your teen time-oriented tasks, such as remembering to let the dog out at a certain time. Make sure to recognize them for completing the task on their own.

Break it down

Break bigger goals down into more manageable chunks. Instead of a college application deadline, set smaller deadlines of getting letters of recommendation, writing the essay and mailing it off. Ask them to come up with a flexible schedule for getting each task done and discuss with them any challenges they foresee along the way.

Leave room for failure

Remember that kids, like us, aren’t perfect. They’re going to make mistakes, miss deadlines and mess up tasks. Invite them to learn from those experiences and help them come up with ways to improve next time.

Limit time online

We’ve all experienced the great time sink that is the latest and greatest app. Start establishing healthy online habits as early as you can to help the whole family better manage their digital lives.