Same Study skills › Getting organized › Must do, should do, could do
How do kids decide what to do first?
When there's more to do than time, kids sort their list. Must do: anything due tomorrow or a test tomorrow. Should do: due later this week, or a step on a big project. Could do: extra credit or things due next week. Must-do items come first, every time.
- Must do: due tomorrow. No exceptions.
- Should do: due soon or part of a bigger project.
- Could do: nice to do if there's time.
Why schools teach it
Kids often do the easy things first
Left alone, many kids start with the fun or quick task, then run out of time for the one due tomorrow. A three-level list makes the order clear without a nightly argument.
Learning to rank tasks is a core executive function skill, and it's the same thinking adults use to manage busy days.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
What's due tomorrow? That's a must.
What's coming up later this week?
ShouldWhat can wait if you run out of time?
CouldWhich must-do will you start with?
Hardest first
Skip this
- Starting with extra credit.Musts first, even if they're harder.
- Everything marked “must.”If everything is urgent, nothing is. Check the due dates.
- Forgetting the should-dos.Doing a little each night stops them from becoming musts.
See it in action
Sorting Tuesday night's list
Must do
Math worksheet (due Wed) · study for Wed spelling testShould do
Read 2 chapters for Friday's book club · research for project due next TueCould do
Extra-credit puzzle · start next week's vocab
Inside the must-do group, many teachers suggest starting with the hardest task.
Free practice sheet
Make a priorities sheet
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Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
What if there are too many must-dos?
Do them in order of difficulty and talk with the teacher if it happens often.
Is this the same as the Eisenhower matrix?
It's a kid-sized version. Adults sort by urgent and important; kids sort by due date.
Should the list be written down?
Yes. A quick list in the planner before starting works best.
Where do chores and activities fit?
On the same list, so the time is real.