Back to School Organizing

Back to School Season is a Great Time for Kids to Practice the Valuable Skill of Organizing

Did you ever wonder why some people are incredibly organized, punctual and efficient and others are not? Organization is an executive function which we are not born with, but is developed throughout our youth as the brain develops. This makes building organizational skills a very important parenting responsibility. 

Other Executive Functions include: 

  • Planning

  • Time Management

  • Initiating tasks

  • Problem Solving

  • Memory

  • Attention

  • Impulse and Emotional Control

These skills can be developed and improved well into our twenties and the clear benefit is that life’s tasks and goals are simply less of a struggle when we are able to handle complexities through well developed executive function. Back to School season is a great time to instill the value of good organizing because there are a plethora of opportunities to practice skills and improve systems.

 

How can parents and caregivers optimize their child’s organizational function? Practice!

 

Daily living is an ideal time to practice organizational skills. When a child is young, establish daily routines.. This will develop into a natural ability to establish systems and keep anything in order throughout their lives.

Hopefully, you have methods that work for you and can model them for your child. Here are our top suggestions. Feel free to swipe some for yourself!

 

Have them create and use checklists for:

  • Short and long term homework assignments

  • Daily routines

  • What to wear

  • What to pack

  • Weekly schedules 

  • Weekly chores 

  • Personal goals

 

Establish good habits while young:

  • Group tasks into small categories such as getting ready for school, cleaning room, setting up a game, etc.

  • Create a command center for their checklists and essential belongings. 

  • A healthy eating checklist can ensure they are eating their must have foods such as fruits, vegetables, protein and taking their vitamins. 

  • An allowance or gift chart can help them learn how to allocate their money for saving and spending. 

 

Initiate skill-builders:

  • Have them set the table and think of everything that is needed

  • Have them plan a menu and create a grocery list

  • Have them patiently follow recipes

  • Have them create a simple budget

 

Maintain Accountability:

  • Have your child repeat to you their checklists and steps to enhance their memory skills.

  • Ensure they are using their checklists and completing their tasks to practice their focus, time management, and attention skills.

  • Depending on their age, encourage them to use the checklist and calendar  method that works best for them whether that’s a white board, technology, or paper. Learning to determine what works best for oneself is also a skill.

 

If you as a parent aren’t great at organization either, it’s not too late. You can make it a game and master the skill together. Set a good example and remind them no one is perfect. If a slip up occurs from time to time the important thing is to get back on track. By stressing the importance of organization and creating the opportunity for practice, you’ll be providing your child with a life skill they will be grateful for. 

Contact Ideal Organizers + Design at 757.777.8685 or info@idealorganizers to learn more!