Pomodoro technique: Helps kids study effectively

Studying can evidently be a tedious job for your youngster. Apart from the actual studying, there is so much more to participate in as well- extra-curricular activities, classes, socialising, assignments, homework, etc. In order to manage all this well and ensure that your child is being challenged to a healthy degree without being stressed, it is important to help your child study smarter, not longer. Sitting at the table with books open for endless hours does not necessarily equate to an improved academic performance. Instead, it can have a negative impact on the student. The Pomodoro technique is an excellent tool that you can be introduced to a student in order for them to adopt a smarter, more effective approach to studies. Let’s have a look at this technique- 

What is this technique? 
The Pomodoro technique is essentially an effective time-management technique for work/study which requires extended focus. It focusses on splitting the work into time frames and placing a short break between each of these time frames. Usually, these are 25-minute long-term frames, each followed by a 5-minute break.  

Origin of the technique 
This technique was developed in the 1980s by an Italian university student, Francesco Cirillo. He found that he was unable to focus on his university academics. So, he decided to commit to 10-minute-long periods of intense study. He timed himself using a timer in the shape of a tomato or pomodoro as they call it in Italian. This is how it came to be known as the Pomodoro technique. 

How you can help your child employ this technique 
Help your child divide the study topic. If it is one chapter, then segment it into different parts. This will make it more organised and easier to follow. Here, you are breaking down a big step into smaller steps. 

Decide the length of each Pomodoro (study period.) Around 20-25 minutes is an ideal period for your child to study something with focus and concentration. 

Estimate how long the chapter would take to be completed, and set that many pomodoros as the goal. For example, if a chapter on plant biology will take roughly 2 hours to cover, then your child would have around 7-8 pomodoros. 

Allow your child to take a 5-minute long break after each study period. Encourage them to walk around, hydrate themselves or even to meditate. Ensure that they are not reaching out for smartphones or laptops as they might be distractions.