10 Ways to
Help Your
Kids Get Organized
Developing good organizational skills is a key ingredient for success in school and in life. Although some people by nature are more organized than others, anyone can put routines and systems in place to help a child "get it together." Here's a list of strategies that you can use to help your child get -- and keep -- his life under control.
1. Use
checklists.
Help your child get into the habit of keeping a "to-do" list. Use
checklists to post assignments, household chores, and reminders about
what materials to bring to class. Your child should keep a small pad or
notebook dedicated to listing homework assignments. Crossing completed
items off the list will give him a sense of accomplishment.
2. Organize
homework assignments.
Before beginning a homework session, encourage your child to number
assignments in the order in which they should be done. She should start
with one that's not too long or difficult, but avoid saving the longest
or hardest assignments for last.
3.
Designate a study space.
Your child should study in the same place every night. This doesn't have
to be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions.
All school supplies and materials should be nearby. If your young child
wants to study with you nearby, too, you'll be better able to monitor
his progress and encourage good study habits.
4. Set a
designated study time.
Your child should know that a certain time every day is reserved for
studying and doing homework. The best time is usually not right after
school -- most children benefit from time to unwind first. Include your
child in making this decision. Even if she doesn't have homework, the
reserved time should be used to review the day's lessons, read for
pleasure, or work on an upcoming project.
5. Keep
organized notebooks.
Help your child keep track of papers by organizing them in a binder or
notebook. This will help him review the material for each day's classes
and to organize the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes. Use
dividers to separate class notes, or color-code notebooks. Separate "to
do" and "done" folders help organize worksheets, notices, and items to
be signed by parents, as well as provide a central place to store
completed assignments.
6. Conduct
a weekly clean-up.
Encourage your child to sort through book bags and notebooks on a weekly
basis. Old tests and papers should be organized and kept in a separate
file at home.
7. Create a
household schedule.
Try to establish and stick to a regular dinnertime and a regular
bedtime. This will help your child fall into a pattern at home. Children
with a regular bedtime go to school well-rested. Try to limit
television-watching and computer play to specific periods of time during
the day.
8. Keep a
master calendar.
Keep a large, wall-sized calendar for the household that lists the
family's commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off
from school, and major events at home and at school. Note dates when
your child has big exams or due dates for projects. This will help
family members keep track of each other's activities and avoid
scheduling conflicts.
9. Prepare
for the day ahead.
Before your child goes to bed, he should pack schoolwork and books in a
book bag. The next day's clothes should be laid out with shoes, socks,
and accessories. This will cut down on morning confusion and allow your
child to prepare quickly for the day ahead.
10. Provide
needed support while your child is learning to become more organized.
Help your child develop organizational skills by photocopying checklists
and schedules and taping them to the refrigerator. Gently remind her
about filling in calendar dates and keeping papers and materials
organized. Most important, set a good example.
Sites for Parents
What Every 4th Grader Should Know
http://www.familyeducation.com/subchannel/0,2794,66-191,00.html
Surf the Net with Kids