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list of ways that children can use lists

So bear with me, this is not only a useful post for anyone who has children, but it is also a chance for me to think through the presentation that I am giving tomorrow morning to my daughter’s 2nd grade class.

While I was away last week at the NAPO Conference, Campbell gave her “Share” (show and tell) about how her Mom’s business is a website all about lists. Campbell’s teacher (teachers know the value of lists – I know because I used to be one myself) proposed that I come in to their classroom and talk about how lists can be useful, even to children.

This is a brilliant idea. Getting a head start on understanding the many uses of lists and the way that lists can provide structure to complex situations is a truly valuable lesson. Once children learn how to set up and organize their own lists, it will be a resource that they will be able to use for the rest of their multi-faceted lives. Here are some ways that lists can be useful to both children and adults.

  1. as a Goal – lists offer an opportunity to write down the things that you want to do or attain. If done properly, you should be able to list goals and the steps that you will take to achieve that goal. (e.g. To Do Lists, Places to Visit, Cleaning Lists, Grocery Lists, etc.)
  2. as a Reference – a list is a terrific way to provide order to a procedure or collection and then to be kept and used as a reference for the future (e.g. Clothing Inventory, Menu Inventory, Home Inventory, Babysitter Contact Information, etc.)
  3. as a Time Manager – a perfect world would allow us to just come and go as we want and never have to look at a clock or schedule an appointment, but the real world demands that we create schedules and meet deadlines. (e.g. Timeline, Daily/Weekly/Monthly Planner, etc.)
  4. as a Record – by making a list, you’ve taken something out of the realm of floating around in your head and put it in a more permanent location that never forgets. So often we place way more confidence in our own ability to remember than we should. (e.g. Memorable Moments, Checking Account Register, Exercise Log, Medications Tracker, etc.)
  5. as Inspiration – brainstorming is all about making a list of possibilities. If we don’t give the mind a chance to stretch when problem-solving, we may miss out on some terrific new ideas. (e.g. Wish List, Holiday/Party Planning Pages, Menu Planner, etc.)
  6. as Instructions – taking a difficult task and putting it into a step-by-step format may be all a person needs to have the confidence to complete it.

Do your children use lists? Do they make their own lists? What lists do you think apply to children?

Tags: childrenlists
Jennifer Tankersley:

View Comments (4)

  • I love that you posted a list about lists! I am going to go make one now!

  • Jen- I loved this post! One list that comes to mind right away is the possible activities list. It goes sorta like this:
    Boy #1: "I'm boooored"
    Mom: "Shall we make a list of all the things you can do right now?"
    Each time the weather changes, I make a list with the kids of all the things they've been wanting to do outside during that season - so when they get summer bored they can look at the list and see all the things they missed doing outside during the long winter. And don't forget that pre-readers can use pictolists (I invented that word just now). Happy Mother's Day!

  • My 8 year old daughter loves lists. I think its because she sees me making them all the time. She makes to-do lists, lists of friends, lists of dreams, lists of stuff in her room... She also started using a planner for special events and activities. Its great writing, organization and decision making practice.