RedGage

Yes, I know, this is easier said than done.  An organized child?  Is that possible?  The good news is, yes, it’s possible.  The bad news? you have to start early and you have to set a very good example to your child.  Well, not exactly bad news, it depends on how you look at it, or what has been your practice at home.   This is important because the earlier good organizational habits are taught to children, the better they will imbibe and practice them.  So, here are some points that you can consider:

1. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your child.  Whatever it is that you want your kids to accomplish, you have to explain to them the reasons why.  This will ensure that you would have their cooperation. Start off young kids with small things such as minding their own belongings and cleaning their room.
2. Set example.  As mentioned above, it has to start with you, otherwise, your kids will get a wrong impression that it’s okay to have a cluttered working area, or closet, or shoe rack.  And most importantly, avoid picking up after them.  Cleaning up after your kids will send a message that it’s okay to leave their things around because you are there to tidy up after them every time.
3. Be consistent.  Persistence pays off.  Never get tired of reminding your kids about your rules.  If in the beginning you have set the rules of no magazines and books lying around their room, stick to your rules, no matter what.  Soon you will notice how they will get used to the routines and how you’ll need to speak out less and less.
4. Time management is the key.  Help your kids in managing their school schedules, like project deadlines.  This can also be applied in house chores.  Especially for young children, be hands on in monitoring their school activities, homework and projects.  Assign due dates to complete a project.  This lets them estimate how long each task will take and how much time they have left.
5. Establish routines.  It’s important that the chores become part of your child’s daily routine.  It helps to have a checklist that your child can refer to, and it should also be displayed in an area which can be easily seen by your child.
6. Have some helpful tools in your kid’s room.  These can be (i)  reminder posters and calendars where daily schedules and deadlines are written and posted in his room; (ii) clothes cabinets and drawers; (iii)  plastic utility boxes with appropriate labels for his toys; (iv)  clothes hamper; (v)  shoe racks;  (vi) open shelves for books and magazines.
7. A place for everything.  Teach your child to fix his school things before going to sleep.  Have him arrange his school bag, make sure that his assignments are finished, show him how to arrange his books and notebooks neatly inside his bag.

These simple tips will help in teaching your child to be organized, not only now, but until he gets older, which he can hopefully pass on to his own children.

Article from my blog Sharing my Thoughts