Project management for kids, on one hand.
Children already count on their fingers. Give each finger a question, and they can plan a school project, a sleepover or a lemonade stand.
The 1-minute version
- Thumb: what will it look like when it’s done?
- Pointer: what do we do first, and who does which part?
- Middle: can we try a tiny one first?
- Ring: ready, set, go. Say it back to me!
- Pinky: did we keep our promise? What would we change?
- I · Thumb · Thumbs up
Picture it. “What will it look like when it’s done?”
- Ask them to draw the finished thing before they start.
- Circle the finish day on a calendar they can see.
- II · Pointer · Direction
Map it. “What do we do first, and who does which part?”
- Write each job on a sticky note and line the notes up in order.
- Put one name on every note, even when the name is theirs.
- III · Middle · Challenge
Try it. “Can we try a tiny one first?”
- One test cup of lemonade before the whole jug.
- A practice run of the class talk, to a parent or a pet.
- IV · Ring · Commitment
Launch it. “Ready, set, go. Say it back to me!”
- Before they start, ask them to tell you their part in their own words.
- If they can say it back, they’ve heard it.
- V · Pinky promise
Close it. “Did we keep our promise? What was the best part, and what would we change?”
- Two questions at dinner are enough.
- Then high five everyone who helped.
By age
- Ages 4 to 7: start with just the thumb and the pinky. Add a finger at a time.
- Ages 8 to 12: let them own one row of the plan, with their name and a date.
- Teens: they run the whole project, and you’re the helper, not the owner.
Quick questions
At what age can kids start planning projects?
Young children can answer “what will it look like when it’s done?” long before they can make a list. Start with that question, then add the other fingers as they grow.
Is there a printable?
Yes. The free coloring page has the hand, a question for each finger, a find-it game and a full page to trace their own hand.
Picture it · Map it · Try it · Launch it · Close it