Back To School Organizing Tips
As kids of all ages head back to school, it's a perfect time to set them up for success. By putting a few or even all of these organizational strategies in place in your home, life will be much easier for both you and your kids.
LAY OUT CLOTHES FOR THE WEEK
Use a vertical hanging cloth organizer and label each cubby with a day of the week. Each Sunday, place outfit, undergarments and accessories for each day. This is ideal for younger children and avoids last minute indecision and hunting around for missing clothing items.
MORNING COMMAND CENTER
In your entryway or kitchen, have a command center for yourself that includes car keys, permission slips, to do lists and any other key items or information needed to help you through the day.
GEAR CUPBOARD
Set up a cubby for each child to place school books, backpacks, shoes and other daily school items.
LUNCHBOX STATION
Dedicate a shelf or cupboard for all things lunch. Stash luncboxes, thermoses, sandwich baggies, plasticware and other necessary items in this one area for quick and easy lunchmaking.
WEEKLY PLANNER
Having your child, especially older ones, use a planner helps them learn time management and organizational skills. It allows them to track project dues dates as well as extraciricular activities. For busy families, it is also important to have a master family planner that includes each child's information as well as all family events so you'll have a single source of information for the day and week ahead.
TECHNOLOGY BASKET
Smartphones and other tech devices offer considerable distraction for many kids when doing homework. Try using a technology basket where each child places all devices while doing homework. Volume is turned off so they aren't interrupted by texts pings or phone calls. If your child needs Internet access to coplete homework, try having them use a tablet instead.
SCHOOL FILING SYSTEM
Set up a small filing system for each child. Using colored hanging folders and tabs, label a folder for each class, important school information, activity and the like. At the end of every week, have your child go through their folders and binders and place old homewaork and other papers in the appropriate folder.
CREATE A HOMEWORK CENTER
Many children fare best when they have a dedicated place in which to do their homework. This should include a comfortable chair, solid surface and be away from distractions like TVs. You can either have a supply station in this area or have kids use a mobile supply caddy.
MOBILE HOMEWORK CENTER
USe a portable plastic caddy and fill it with all the necessary supplies to allow for homework success. Pens, pencils, calculator, glue sticks, stickie notes. That way, each child can grab a caddy and set up at their preferred homework location and tidy up quickly. These caddies can be stored in their GEAR CUBBIES.
MOBILE DESK
For kids who like to do homeowrk in their rooms or on the couch, build a mobile desk. Using plywood or even a medium sized cadboad box, create a U-shaped desk that sits about 12 inches high and that they can place over their legs. To make it more fun, each child can decorate thei desk with paint and stickers to personalize it.
SURPLUS SUPPLIES
Use a hanging shoe organizer with transparent sleeves and label each section. Insert extra highlighters, scissors, tape, paper, pencils and the like. Hang behind a door or other area where it can be seen and accessed easily. The clear sleeves enable kids to locate items quickly and let you know when something is running low.
SELF-SERVE SNACK STATION
Kids of all ages tend to be hungry after school. Dedicate a pantry shelf or drawer and fill it with a variety of healthy grab and go snacks. Granola bars, dried fruit and nuts, whole grain crackers and the like all work well. For perishable items, try doing the same in your refrigerator: have a shelf or drawer filled with drinks, stick cheese, fruit, yogurts and other quick and easy foods.
These back to school organizating ideas are sure to make everyone's life easier. They offer quick and easy ways to manage and maximize time and also make for quick clean up.
Need assistance organizing any part of your home or office? The Organizer Gal can help!
Images and excerpts from GoodHousekeeping.com
