When starting the project is too difficult

This one is for the kids who are stuck: those students staring at blank screens, wondering how to begin their homework or big project.

First, let's name it. Task initiation is "[t]he ability to begin projects without undue procrastination, in an efficient or timely fashion." That's Peg Dawson and Richard Guare, from Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents.

Problems with task initiation come from a few different places, and the fix depends on which one you're dealing with.

Some kids struggle with planning and prioritizing. They don't know where to start because they haven't broken the task into steps.

Some struggle with time management. The project feels too big, and they can't picture how it fits into 25 minutes or an hour.

Some are stuck on emotional control: anxiety, perfectionism, fear of failure. Starting means risking a bad first draft, so they don't start.

Some just lack motivation. There's no clear reason why they must care about this task. And some are stuck because the assignment itself is unclear. They don't know what's expected, so they can't decide what step one even is.

For these students, we try to match the tool to the problem.

For planning and time management: the Pomodoro Technique

We use this to prod kids who need the project chunked into manageable pieces. The name comes from the old tomato-shaped kitchen timer. Pomodoro means tomato in Italian.

The system is simple. It gives students a structure with an end point in sight.

1. Note one task to work on. It could be: write an introduction, or an outline. Research a thesis statement.

2. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work.

3. Take a five-minute break.

4. Repeat. Take a longer break after three or four rounds.

For some students, 25 minutes in one sitting is too long. Or working on one task feels too big. So we dial it back.

1. Work for 10 minutes on a single task. Take a break.

2. Slowly build your stamina up.

3. Or work on whatever you want for 10 minutes. No single task necessary.

4. Then slowly narrow the work to a single task.

5. Eventually, you'll be able to work longer.

For anxiety and perfectionism: the two-minute deal

Some students need more support than a timer. You see it near the beginning of a project. The student stares at a blank page with too many decisions to make.

So we make a deal.

You have two minutes. Create one feasible goal. Write two sentences, or write a single paragraph. Once that's done, try for four minutes.

The goal isn't the writing. It's proof. A bad two minutes costs nothing, and students can see themselves making progress.

For low motivation or an unclear task: the five-minute free-write

Another method works too. Work for five minutes. No planning. Just start a timer and work.

You can do anything during this time. Write phrases. Fragments. Bullet points.

Then take a break. Work for some more.

We don't know if this method helps students break through on their own. But we've seen progress when students are forced to work first and think later.

If the assignment itself is the problem, question stamps can help turn a vague prompt into a real first move:

• What evidence can I present for or against this argument?

• Why is ___ significant?

• How is ___ related to ___?

• How could I judge the accuracy of ___?

A couple other ideas. If you don't want to look at your writing, turn off the screen.

You can track this behavior over time. How many Pomodoro sessions does the student finish? How long are they? What's actually getting done?

Photo by Benny Hassum on Unsplash