Getting Organized For the School Year!

Choose a place in the home that has adequate lighting, is comfortable for working and is as free from distractions as possible. This needs to be an area your child can truly claim as their own workspace.

 

Make sure your child has a large working surface (desktop) free from clutter. They need to have room to organize their school papers, folders and supplies. And remember, as the school year progresses, that paperwork can really pile up! A larger working area will help them stay organized as they get busier throughout the year.

 

With your child, decide on what you would like to keep and store out of the way (in colored boxes or zipper portfolios) in order to make room for current papers and projects. To help your kid stay organized this school year, you might want to consider the following supplies:

 

1.    The Corkboard. This is an organizational lifesaver and also a way for kids to decorate and personalize their private workspace. Place a corkboard over the desk with pins to hang up important papers. You can also provide a special area just for pictures that are collected throughout the year. 

 

2.    The Color Code. This is a nice trick to help kids stay organized. Provide a file with color-coded folders in which your child can keep papers stored categorically based on subject. They can even use cool stickers and markers to decorate the folders!

 

3.    Store It! Keep trays and bins for storing supplies/materials in order to remove some of the clutter from the desktop. These can easily be placed under the desk to maintain a clean workspace.

 

4.    Must-Have Supplies. Keep a three-hole punch and pencil sharpener in a convenient place. And don’t forget the wastebasket which will encourage your child to get rid of unnecessary paperwork. Another helpful organizational tool is a desk calendar that offers an overview of important dates, activities and events.

 

The key to getting kids excited about back to school is letting them take the lead with the preparations. Giving them control over their workspace will encourage them to get excited about the year to come. You can both sit down together and take an inventory of what your child needs to stay organized. And when the time comes, assist your child with cleaning and organizing the desk contents. Make the time to help clean and organize their backpack, notebook, desk and room.

 

And one final tip: Encourage and help your child get in the habit of putting all books, notebooks, and other necessary materials inside the backpack before bedtime. Place them in the same spot every night. This routine can help kids feel secure about the next school day and enjoy a less hectic morning….and as a result…a less hectic school year!