{"id":50,"date":"2026-08-03T11:42:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/?p=50"},"modified":"2026-08-03T11:42:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:42:48","slug":"money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"Money, Energy and Time: Why the Skills Children Build Today Matter Tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By Jagdish Prasad Yadav, Senior Occupational Therapist (HSE, since 2004) and Founder, Locus Therapy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parents of children with neurodivergent presentations often spend a great deal of time searching for answers: <em>Why is homework taking so long? Why does my child struggle to get started? Why are transitions so difficult? Why do they understand what needs to be done but still cannot organise themselves to do it?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These difficulties can sometimes be mistaken for laziness, lack of motivation or challenging behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But underneath them may be something much more fundamental: <strong>attention, executive functioning, organisation, emotional regulation and the ability to manage time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And these are not simply childhood skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are life skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/#Money_can_return_Energy_can_recover_Time_cannot\" >Money can return. Energy can recover. Time cannot.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/#For_neurodivergent_children_%E2%80%9Cjust_organise_yourself%E2%80%9D_may_not_be_enough\" >For neurodivergent children, \u201cjust organise yourself\u201d may not be enough<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/#What_delayed_gratification_research_really_tells_us\" >What delayed gratification research really tells us<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/#Time_management_starts_long_before_adulthood\" >Time management starts long before adulthood<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/#From_%E2%80%9CWhy_wont_you%E2%80%9D_to_%E2%80%9CWhat_is_making_this_difficult%E2%80%9D\" >From \u201cWhy won&#8217;t you?\u201d to \u201cWhat is making this difficult?\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/#Where_Locus_Therapy_fits\" >Where Locus Therapy fits<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/#Protecting_a_childs_most_valuable_resource\" >Protecting a child&#8217;s most valuable resource<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/money-energy-and-time-why-the-skills-children-build-today-matter-tomorrow\/#Start_by_understanding_your_child\" >Start by understanding your child<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Money_can_return_Energy_can_recover_Time_cannot\"><\/span>Money can return. Energy can recover. Time cannot.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Physics teaches us that energy is transformed rather than simply disappearing. In everyday life, our personal energy can also be depleted and replenished through sleep, nutrition, movement and recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Money is similarly flexible. We can spend it, save it, lose it and potentially earn it again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time is different.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An hour that passes cannot be saved for tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a child, this makes learning how to use time particularly important\u2014not because every minute needs to be productive, but because planning, waiting, prioritising and completing tasks are skills they will carry into adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research into adult financial behaviour provides an interesting parallel. A 2019 study found that procrastination was associated with poorer personal financial behaviour, including difficulties around saving, budgeting and financial impulse control. Importantly, financial self-efficacy\u2014the belief that someone can successfully manage their finances\u2014played an important role in this relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lesson is broader than money:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Being able to start, plan, persist and follow through matters throughout life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"For_neurodivergent_children_%E2%80%9Cjust_organise_yourself%E2%80%9D_may_not_be_enough\"><\/span>For neurodivergent children, \u201cjust organise yourself\u201d may not be enough<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children with presentations associated with ADHD, autism, developmental coordination difficulties, sensory processing differences or other developmental challenges may experience difficulties with skills such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>sustaining attention and resisting distraction;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>starting and completing tasks;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>estimating how long something will take;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>moving from one activity to another;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>organising schoolwork and belongings;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>regulating impulses and emotions;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>waiting for a preferred activity;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>breaking larger tasks into manageable steps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A child may know perfectly well that homework needs to be finished before gaming, yet still struggle to disengage from the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another may spend 40 minutes on something that should take ten because every sound, object or thought competes for their attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another may repeatedly forget books, PE equipment or assignments despite being reminded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Knowing what to do and being able to organise yourself to do it are not always the same thing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction is particularly important for parents and schools supporting neurodivergent children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_delayed_gratification_research_really_tells_us\"><\/span>What delayed gratification research really tells us<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The famous Stanford \u201cmarshmallow test\u201d is often presented as proof that children who can resist temptation become more successful adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The real science is more nuanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A major 2018 replication found that the relationship between early delay of gratification and later achievement was substantially smaller after researchers accounted for factors including family background, early cognitive ability and the home environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is an important message for parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Self-regulation should not be treated as a test of whether a child has a \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d character.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A child&#8217;s ability to wait, organise, regulate and persist develops within an environment. Children can be supported in developing these abilities rather than simply being criticised when they struggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For neurodivergent children, this distinction becomes even more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Time_management_starts_long_before_adulthood\"><\/span>Time management starts long before adulthood<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We usually associate time management with adults, workplaces and diaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In reality, its foundations appear throughout childhood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Getting dressed for school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Packing a bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Waiting for a turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finishing homework before opening a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remembering tomorrow&#8217;s equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Breaking a project into smaller tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stopping one preferred activity and beginning another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following a morning or bedtime routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These ordinary moments repeatedly exercise <strong>attention, planning, sequencing, impulse control and self-regulation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over thousands of repetitions, children gradually develop greater independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The objective is not to create highly productive six-year-olds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is to help children develop enough control over their attention, behaviour and routines that everyday life becomes easier rather than becoming a constant source of conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_%E2%80%9CWhy_wont_you%E2%80%9D_to_%E2%80%9CWhat_is_making_this_difficult%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>From \u201cWhy won&#8217;t you?\u201d to \u201cWhat is making this difficult?\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the most useful changes a parent can make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of immediately asking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cWhy won&#8217;t my child do this?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">consider asking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cWhat skill might be making this difficult?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The difference is substantial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A child who repeatedly fails to complete homework may need support with attention or task initiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A child who becomes distressed when leaving the house may need help with transitions, predictability or sensory regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A child who spends hours gaming may need support with self-regulation, alternative rewarding activities and consistent routines\u2014not simply repeated instructions to \u201cput the phone away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding the underlying difficulty allows parents to move from repeated correction towards practical support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_Locus_Therapy_fits\"><\/span>Where Locus Therapy fits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This principle sits at the heart of the <strong>Locus Therapy App for children aged 6\u201316<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Locus is designed for parents who are concerned about aspects of their child&#8217;s development\u2014including attention and organisation, motor coordination, sensory processing, emotional and behavioural regulation, confidence, school-related challenges and digital dependency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parents can begin with a <strong>free screening<\/strong> to better understand areas where their child may require additional support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where appropriate, Locus then provides structured, graded home programmes\u2014Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced\u2014with practical activities that families can integrate into everyday routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The aim is not to diagnose a child or replace occupational therapy or other professional services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is to help parents <strong>understand what they are seeing and take practical steps while seeking or waiting for professional support.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because therapy does not only happen during an appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many developmental skills are practised during the hundreds of ordinary moments between appointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Protecting_a_childs_most_valuable_resource\"><\/span>Protecting a child&#8217;s most valuable resource<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research by Ashley Whillans and colleagues also offers an interesting perspective for adults. Across several samples, people who tended to value time over money reported greater wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps there is a lesson for childhood here too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We spend considerable effort preparing children academically for their futures. But helping them understand attention, routines, planning, patience and self-regulation may be equally important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Money may be earned again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Energy can often be restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time only moves in one direction.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For children who need additional developmental support, early years and school years provide repeated opportunities to build the skills that underpin later independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We should therefore be careful not to spend those years simply waiting for a label, an assessment or the next appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Understanding can begin now. Support can begin now. And small skills practised consistently today can become the foundations of independence tomorrow.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Start_by_understanding_your_child\"><\/span>Start by understanding your child<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are concerned about your child&#8217;s attention, organisation, sensory processing, coordination, behaviour or emotional regulation, the <strong>Locus Therapy App<\/strong> provides free screening and practical home-based guidance for children aged 6\u201316.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Available on <strong>Android and iOS<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Jagdish Prasad Yadav, Senior Occupational Therapist (HSE, since 2004) and Founder, Locus Therapy Parents of children with neurodivergent presentations often spend a great deal of time searching for answers: Why is homework taking so long? Why does my child struggle to get started? Why are transitions so difficult? Why do they understand what needs [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":51,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM.png",1536,1024,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM-300x200.png",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM-768x512.png",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM-1024x683.png",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM.png",1536,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM.png",1536,1024,false],"blog-thumb":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM-530x250.png",530,250,true],"blog-full":["https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-3-2026-12_38_55-PM-1100x450.png",1100,450,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"newbeepublication","author_link":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/author\/newbeepublication\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Jagdish Prasad Yadav, Senior Occupational Therapist (HSE, since 2004) and Founder, Locus Therapy Parents of children with neurodivergent presentations often spend a great deal of time searching for answers: Why is homework taking so long? Why does my child struggle to get started? Why are transitions so difficult? Why do they understand what needs&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52,"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50\/revisions\/52"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/locustherapy.ie\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}