When your child is disorganized, it's frustrating--as a parent, you might consider his clutter-strewn bedroom floor and disheveled backpack to be a deliberate act of defiance. However, your child's poor organizational skills may be just as frustrating to him as they are to you. According to Kids Health, some children are inherently more organized than others, but organization can be developed. You can help your child improve his focus and control the clutter in his environment.
Step 1
Help your child clean out his backpack and desk, or other workspace regularly. Psychology Today recommends guiding him through the process of sorting through papers and other belongings, and teaching him to discard unnecessary items. As you sort, encourage him to categorize items as necessary or unnecessary and organize accordingly.
Step 2
Consider whether your child is overbooked. Psychology Today says you should review your child's daily schedule and determine whether he might be overwhelmed with too many activities and obligations. If so, discuss the possibility of scaling back his activities.
Step 3
Divide your child's notebooks or binders by subject. Also, teach your child to arrange his books and binders in his backpack according to size, recommends Psychology Today. This will make items easier to find.
Step 4
Help your child learn a "1-2-3" system for finishing tasks. Kids Health reports that learning to finish tasks and manage time is another key aspect of organization. Teach them the three steps of organizing supplies for the task, staying focused on the task and seeing the task through to completion. This model can be used for finishing both simple and complex tasks, Kids Health reports.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your child about how his life could be easier with some organizational tools. By naming some situations where organization could benefit him, you can motivate him, Kids Health reports. Be patient. Kids Health emphasizes that these skills may take time for your child to master.
- Avoid caving in and doing things for your child. Kids Health reports that it might be easier to just do your child's organizing for him, but this ultimately won't help him foster his own skills.
