Developing the Habit of Following After-School Self-Directed Learning Plans Among Upper-Grade Primary School Students

After-school self-directed learning is an important part of consolidating classroom knowledge, developing learning abilities, and establishing effective learning habits during primary education. Upper-grade primary school students gradually develop greater self-awareness and self-management abilities, which provide a foundation for participating in the formulation and management of their own learning plans. However, a gap often remains between making a plan and actually carrying it out. Some students can formulate after-school learning plans with the help of teachers or parents but struggle with setting specific goals, allocating time appropriately, maintaining consistent implementation, persisting when difficulties arise, and evaluating their learning after completing tasks. These problems not only affect the efficiency of after-school learning but also hinder the development of stable self-directed learning habits. Cultivating the habit of following learning plans should not rely solely on external supervision or task requirements. Instead, goal setting, task decomposition, time management, progress monitoring, and reflection should be integrated into a continuous learning process. Through this process, students can gradually develop the ability to plan independently, act according to their plans, make timely adjustments, and evaluate their own performance. Drawing on the developmental characteristics of upper-grade primary school students and existing research on self-directed learning habits, this paper examines the meaning, practical challenges, formative conditions, and development pathways of after-school learning plan implementation habits. It proposes an approach based on student participation, supported by concrete learning plans, teacher guidance, and home-school collaboration, with the aim of providing practical insights into cultivating self-directed learning habits among upper-grade primary school students.