Lillian Vernon, founder of the catalog company of the same name, says, "To become self-sufficient, children must learn to organize themselves from an early age." Parenting, filled with teaching, motivating, coaching, reminding and disciplining, also requires helping children learn to plan and organize their lives. Whether for completing homework, doing household chores or creating a birthday present for Grandma, children need organizational skills. The organizational skills they learn as children will transfer into adolescence and adulthood.
Provide a System
Outline an organizational system for your child. KidsHealth.org suggests a 1-2-3 system. Number 1 refers to being in the right place with the right materials or supplies for the project. Number 2 refers to staying focused and on task and not participating in distractions. Number 3 refers to completing the project by reviewing the work, putting the paper or project in the right place and putting materials away.
Use a Scheduling Tool
Teach your child to use a calendar, daily planner or notebook to keep track of assignments, projects and activities. With very young children, you will need to fill it out and prompt your child to use it. Older children should be taught to maintain the planner but may need reminders to fill it in, check it and follow through with listed tasks.
Organize Paperwork
Help your child organize his notes, assignments and completed papers into spiral notebooks or file folders. Talk about different ways to categorize things. Have him help determine the filing system and create the dividers, folders and labels needed to set up the system. Remind him that if, after a few weeks, the system seems awkward or difficult, it can be modified to be as effective as possible. Family Education suggests that you help your child create separate folders labeled "to do" and "done." To-do folders include worksheets, project descriptions and papers parents need to sign. Done folders hold all completed assignments.
Clean Up Weekly
Encourage your child to do a weekly cleanup of her book bag, folders, drawers and closet. Remind her that a weekly cleanup is easier and more manageable than waiting until she can't find things and the clutter seems overwhelming. Help her divide her belongings into things to put back in the right place and things to throw or give away.
Use Checklists
Show your child how to generate and to maintain checklists. These can be handwritten to-do lists or typed lists of regular, ongoing activities and chores. Checklists can be used as reminders of items take to class, household chores or homework assignments. Help your child create a format that fits with his personality, and provide reminders to help him keep up with his checklists.
Prepare Ahead
Have your child prepare for the next day before she goes to bed by laying out her clothes, book bag and anything else she needs. Encourage her to think of upcoming activities that might require preparation ahead of time, such as having a clean uniform for baseball practice or buying a birthday gift for a friend's birthday party.
