10 Ways to Keep Your Children Organized

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 be writing down homework each day in the planners we give out at school on the first day. Crossing completed assignments off the list will give him/her a sense of accomplishment! This website from Scholastic will create a really neat looking TO DO LIST that you can fill out yourself and print in many different formats! 2.  Organize Homework Assignments Before beginning a homework session, encourage your child to number assignments in the order which they should be done. Your child should start with one that's not too long or difficult, but avoid saving the longest or hardest assignments for last. Here are some TIME MANAGEMENT ORGANIZERS which will aid you in managing your time wisely! *  Hamburger Organizer *  Pizza Organizer 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 child wants to study with you nearby too, you'll be better able to monitor the 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 he/she doesn't have homework, the reserved time should be spent reviewing, practicing math facts, or reading. 5.  Keep Organized Binder and Folders Help your child keep track of papers by organizing them in a binder with labeled folders. This will give easy access to review the material for each day's class, and to prepare for tests and quizzes. 6.  Conduct a Weekly Clean-up Encourage your child to sort through book bags and notebooks on a weekly basis. Old worksheets and papers should be organized and kept in a separate file at home. 7.  Check Your Child's Binder and Folders Although not on purpose, sometimes children forget what is in their Take Home folders. Please try to go through their backpacks and check to make sure that they are writing down and completing all assignments. Check their assignments for accuracy, and that will help the process of organizing what needs to be worked on. Checking up on your children keeps them in check, so that they will be mindful that this is something you want them to do, and will be checking for at home, as well as my checking at school. 8.  Keep a Master Calendar Keep a large, wall sized calendar for the house that lists the family's commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, and major events at home and school. Note days when your child has big tests or due dates for projects. This will help family members keep track of each other's activities and avoid scheduling conflicts. Scholastic has a great calendar maker that you can fill in and then print out in different colorful formats! 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 fridge. Gently remind him/her about filling in calendar dates and keeping papers and materials organized. Most important, set a good example. Source