August 20, 2009
Back to School the Organized Way
Whether you love it or hate it, it’s that time of year again when summer is coming to an end and children are getting ready to go back to school. The fact is that organized students – including your children and you, if you’re returning to the classroom - are better prepared to learn at school, complete homework assignments faster and feel less stress and anxiety (and so will their families!). Developing and maintaining good organizational skills prepare children for today's academic challenges and set them up to excel in tomorrow's world. Here are some tips to help your children and you start the year off the organized way and stay sane and organized the whole year through.
TIP #1 – CHECK IT TWICE: Take an inventory and make a list of what your children already have BEFORE you go out to shop for new school supplies. Remember to TAKE IT WITH YOU so you avoid making purchases you don’t need that will create clutter.
TIP #2 – OUT WITH THE OLD: Make room for the new! No matter what you’re buying - clothes, shoes, supplies, backpacks - you’ll cut down on clutter and save space if you weed the no longer useful, loved or wanted BEFORE you bring home anything new.
TIP #3 – GET SET-UP FOR SUCCESS: If your children don't already have a distraction free study area, now is the time to set one up. A well-lit, permanent space with a door to shut out distractions and provide quiet and privacy that has shelf space for books, etc. and can be organized and stay organized is conducive to doing homework and will help set your children up for success. Doing homework where the TV is playing, people are talking, etc. is NOT a good idea. Children and adults alike should acknowledge that study time is sacred time and adults should not interrupt children when they’re studying, if at all possible.
TIP #4 – WHEN PARENTS DON’T LIVE TOGETHER: Children – especially younger children - who divide their time between two households, can have trouble keeping their homework organized. If possible, get two sets of books so each parent has a set in his or her home. Parents need to actively and carefully monitor how their children are doing with their homework.
TIP #5 – HAVE A GAME PLAN: Though it can be difficult to really grasp the idea of back-to-school until it actually starts, it's not too early to begin planning your family's daily routines and getting out ahead of the curve. Create a task list for each child that includes all the activities that need to be accomplished in order to get ready for school the next day. Rather than nagging your child to complete individual tasks, you can just tell them to complete their list. If you have young children, sit down with them and create charts that detail - in words and pictures - all of the things they'll need to do each morning before going off to school, like getting out of bed, washing their face, brushing their teeth, getting dressed, having breakfast, etc. If you have older children, encourage them to start adjusting their sleep schedules now so that early mornings don’t hurt as much when they have to go back to school.
TIP #6 – SAVE TIME & ENLIST THE TROOPS: No matter what age your children are, start thinking about time-saving measures that will make it easier for everyone to get out the door on hectic school mornings. Get your children to pitch in making lunches the previous evening and you’ll have a lot less stress in the morning. Even if your child is too young to make a sandwich, he or she should be able to help pack fruit, a drink or dessert.
TIP #7 – LISTEN UP & SAVE TIME: Teach your children to listen to the weather forecast the previous evening so they can choose appropriate clothing for the next day. Have a strict rule that they must stick with their clothing choice the next morning. No last minute changes because they don’t feel like wearing what they chose the night before!
TIP #8 – ANOTHER TIME SAVER: Have a designated place for backpacks, preferably near the door your children exit to go to school. All backpacks should be put there the evening before to eliminate any frantic, last-minute backpack searches the next morning, as should other items that need to go to school, like sports equipment and musical instruments. If you have the room, entryway benches with hidden storage compartments provide a convenient place to sit while putting on shoes and space for stowing outdoor gear, keys, cell phones, etc.
TIP #9 – MISSION CONTROL: The start of school often means the start of sports, after-school and other activities. Keeping track of everything will be much easier if you have one central spot where the whole family can see what's happening each week. A family management center should include: a calendar with enough space to list everyone's activities, a bulletin board to pin up invitations and event notices and a message center (a dry erase or chalkboard works well) where family members can leave notes for each other. If you already have a family management center, now's the time to clear it of old activities and info and get it ready for the school year ahead.
TIP #10 – TAMING THE PAPER TIGER: Develop a system for tracking and tackling all of the papers your children bring home from school. The first line of defense is to have children empty their backpacks and put their papers in a tiered letter sorter or stacking letter trays. Designate and label a specific space/tray for each child, as well as an “ASAP” tray. The “ASAP” tray is for items other than the routine school papers, like teacher’s notes, permission slips and anything else that requires immediate attention. Keep a binder with current information about school and after school activities. Keep a trash can/recycling bin handy to dump any paper you and your children don't need.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009