3 Simple Reasons to Keep a Paper Planner for your Kids

In a digital age, it’s easy to rely on computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices to manage your schedule and make life easier. Because of this, many people think the days of maintaining paper records – including planners – is long past. However, even if you do rely on an app to keep track of your commitments, there are still some very good and simple reasons to keep a paper planner:

1. Fewer Distractions. When you’re using your computer or even your smartphone to add to or check your calendar, it’s easy to get distracted with other applications. You might receive a notification about an email, or a family member might text you something funny. It takes but a moment to pull you away from your planner app, and then you might forget to ever put in what you opened it for in the first place. With a paper planner, you don’t have to worry about loud notifications or distractions. It’s just you, your writing utensil, and the planner.

2. Writing Helps You Remember.  When your hands go through the process of forming the letters and spelling words out on paper – not merely clacking at some keys – your mind is more likely to retain the information you write down. There are some apps that mimic writing with your finger or a stylus, but it’s not quite the same as physically gripping a pen or pencil and putting the ink or graphite to paper. Sure, you have notifications to help you remember, but it doesn’t hurt to ingrain the information on your brain as well.

3. No Battery Needed.  Electronic devices rely on a power source to operate. What will you do when you’re out and about without your charger or access to an outlet and your phone or tablet dies? A paper planner doesn’t require any sort of power source. It’s there for you whenever you need it, as long as you have enough light by which to read.

There are many good reasons to maintain a digital planner, but there are just as good reasons to still keep a paper planner as well. Whatever your preferences, consider carefully the benefits of each type and use what’s best for your needs.