Tips For Organizing Your School-Aged Child -- OnlineOrganizing.com

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	Tips For Organizing Your School-Aged Child

	by Robin Stephens

By the time your kids are in school, they are busy with many of their own activities and all the "stuff" that goes with it. As frustrating as it is to remind them for the zillionth time to put away their toys or straighten up their room, resist the urge to just throw up your hands and do it YOURSELF. This is the time when patience and consistency will help your child develop the HABIT of organization that will positively influence every area of their life!

IT BENEFITS YOU AND YOUR KIDS

The fact is, parents who make an effort to teach their children organizational skills, are on average more RELAXED, in control, and make better use of their time than those who don’t. Here are some organizing tips for school aged children:

TRACK THEIR SCHEDULE

Encourage your children to keep a CALENDAR of their activities and after school commitments. Display a master family calendar, so everyone is informed. Use a different colored marker for each family member’s activities to create a clear visual connection.

YOUR ENTRYWAY

What to do about those piles of jackets, book bags and sports equipment cluttering up the hall and entry? Install a RACK or hang wall pegs near the commonly used door for coats and packs, and a basket or shoe shelf for shoes. There are also attractive benches available with pull out baskets and drawers for storing shoes and backpacks. When the gear starts to pile up, have your children go through and return the excess to their rooms.

SCHOOL PAPERS

Have your child empty his/her BACKPACK as soon as they get home from school. Create an individual bin or basket for each child (preferably large enough to hold papers flat) and label with their name. The basket serves as a temporary “To File” for permission slips, notices, and schoolwork. Three inch binders are another alternative and folders. Whatever container you choose, make sure it is roomy enough to hold paper without stuffing. And make sure you keep the paper MOVING through the system –- don’t let it pile up.

KEEPING IT TO A MINIMUM

The key to keeping the huge volume of kid paper is to immediately ELIMINATE what you don't need. Read the notices and mark the family calendar if necessary, then toss the flyer.

ARTWORK

Purchase an artist's PORTFOLIO and save all your child’s artwork for the current school year. At the end of the year select the best and favorite examples with your child and label the portfolio. Keep it to one per child. Underbed storage BOXES and plastic containers with lids also work well for giant masterpieces, 3D projects and dioramas, videotape or photograph.

SPORTS SUPPLIES

Oversized, clear plastic storage BINS should be an organizational staple. They are sold at almost any store, including Target, Lowe's and Home Depot, and are very inexpensive. They are perfect for sports and play equipment. Label boxes like “Ski Gear”, “Beach Toys," and “Bats & Balls”. Keep bins for the current season in the garage or mud room so the kids can access them easily. Once the season's over, the bin can move to deep storage.

LAUNDRY

Laundry at this stage of parenting can become an overwhelming task. Invest in hampers for each child’s room. Children of school are capable of SORTING their dirty clothes by color and bringing to the laundry area. The pre-sort saves you time on laundry day.

STUDY AREA

Set up a designated area for your child to do his/her HOMEWORK. Get them in the habit of working at this station only and to have supplies necessary for them to work. This can be an area of the kitchen table or a desk or table in their room. Let them know this is their “office” and this is the place where they do their work. When they’ve completed their homework, make sure they pack their backpack or school bag for the following day with everything they will need for school. Use a CHECKLIST if necessary and post it on the door as a reminder.

FITTING IT ALL IN

Help your child learn to manage TIME. Make a list of their responsibilities and the dates and times they occur: sports practice, gymnastics, ballet lessons, tutoring, band practice, as well as homework and household chores. Encourage them to record these appointments on their calendar or use the Family Calendar. Refer to the calendar often whenever you and your child are reviewing activities or adding new ones.

SET SOME BOUNDARIES

Finally, remember what your mom used to say. “I am not the maid.” Create a real PARTNERSHIP with your child. Communicating with your children about school notices, practice schedules, belongings and what they need is very important. Involving your child every step of the way increases their chances for success and puts the power into their hands to learn to create their own systems that really work!

Robin Stephens is an organizing consultant and lifestyle management coach. Her company is dedicated to helping individuals and small business get their personal and professional lives in order so they can focus on what's really important. And her e-book "Just Start Somewhere" is available directly through OnlineOrganizing.com. You may visit her website at www.yourlifeinorder.com.

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