Being organized can be influenced by both nature and nurture. Here’s how each plays an important role:
NATURE
1. Genetics: Some studies suggest that certain personality traits, including those related to organization, can be inherited. People may have a genetic predisposition toward being more conscientious, detail-oriented, and orderly.
2.Brain Function: Neurological differences can impact one’s ability to stay organized. For instance, people with ADHD may struggle with organization due to differences in brain structure and function.
NURTURE
1. Environment: The environment in which a person is raised plays a significant role. Children who grow up in organized households with routines and systems in place are more likely to develop organizational skills.
2. Education and Training: Learning and practicing organizational techniques can improve one’s ability to stay organized. This can include time management courses, personal coaching, or simply adopting good habits over time.
3. Life Experiences: Personal experiences, such as the demands of a job or managing a household, can shape one’s organizational skills. People often develop better organizational habits out of necessity.
Ultimately, being organized is likely the result of an interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental influences. We can’t influence nature, but we can influence nurture!
Instilling a sense of organization in your child may sound like a hefty task. However, by infusing daily routines with fun — from making homework time cozier to celebrating special days a few times each month — your child can learn how to keep things organized in a breeze.
TO GET STARTED, TRY THESE 7 ACTIVITIES:
1. Introducing checklists. Even if it’s as simple as “3 Things To Do Before Bed” or “What To Take On Vacation,” creating and referring to lists together will develop your child’s ability to strategize tasks Link to checklist her
2. Give them chores that involve sorting or categorizing. Emptying the dishwasher, sorting socks or shoes, cleaning out a closet, and other chores that involve mental planning and arranging things are great options.
3. Introduce them to a kid-friendly planner or checklist. Having their own planner will show them that time organization is something worth doing. Making and keeping appointments is a crucial like skill. The choices involved with planning their time is another life lesson. Establish a homework routine. Help your child make a schedule and set up a designated and comfortable homework space. Encourage your child to stick to the schedule even when they don’t have a lot of homework. Bonus for putting this time in the planner!
4. Cultivate an interest in collecting. If your child has an interest in particular items, encourage them to create and organize a collection. Teach the proper ways to store, whether it’s containers, shelving or files. It can be something as simple as rocks or caps, anything that kids can sort, classify, and arrange.
5. Continue to encourage categorization. Learning this skill early in life makes it easier to keep all their belongings organized. Create designated spaces for all categories of items such as clothing, toys, etc. Then sub categories like shirts, pants, dolls, Legos, etc.
6. Teach Basic Paperwork Skills. As kids get older, get them a file box and teach them basic filing skills. This can be really fun with color coordination and they will learn how satisfying it is to know where all their paperwork is instead of having to search for it.
So the good news is that even if your kids (or you!) weren’t born organized, it is a skill which can be taught and learned. Happy Organizing!!
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