The beginning of the school year often sneaks up on us before we’ve had a chance to clear out the remnants of the previous year. Without structure, our kids will struggle to complete their schoolwork, find the materials they need for a project, or even get ready for school on time in the morning.
Here are some back-to-school organization tips that will surely help.
1. Create a homework station.
A homework station is a welcoming, designated area where children can study and complete homework assignments. A valuable homework area provides an uncluttered surface for children to write and draw on, a comfortable space for children to read, and all the supplies they require to complete assignments successfully. Moreover, creating a designated kids’ homework station in your home can help them develop positive study skills, productive work habits, and increased school success.
When setting up homework stations, let your children choose the design they want and other creative elements. By doing so, you’re helping them become more proactive with their decisions. This will also help them mentally prepare for the upcoming school year.
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2. Put up a place for backpacks, shoes, and jackets.
Establishing a room or space to organize backpacks and school supplies is a great way to keep your child’s belongings in one easily accessible location. Encourage your children to be consistent about where they will place their things and ensure they store them the same way every day, so they know where to find them.
This designated space could be near your garage door, or it could be near your front door if you use it the most. You want to place this near the door so no one has to roam around the house to get to this station. This increases the likelihood of backpacks and shoes being dropped all along the way.
3. Practice back-to-school routines.
The start of school is probably the busiest time of year for making changes to the family’s daily routine. Kids go from having a relaxed summer schedule to being expected to get up, dress, and leave the house fairly quickly each day. Things will be a little different, and the transition may not be easy. With more interactions and after-school activities, there are new stressors and transitions.
But you can help your kids smoothly transition to their new circumstances by establishing routines. A routine teaches children what to expect and gives them a feeling of security and preparedness.
When kids (and grown-ups!) understand what is expected, they gain confidence and can focus entirely on their tasks.
You can start by following a consistent bedtime routine and setting an alarm to wake them up. Recognizing their apprehension about returning to school is also essential. Knowing they are not alone in this experience will help your child feel heard and understood.
4. Make use of chore boards.
Using chore charts can help kids learn about responsibility and how doing chores can help the whole family. Getting kids to do chores isn’t just about making them work. It helps them learn a lot of important skills and traits that will help them as adults.
With DIY chore boards, your kids can see at a glance what tasks they still need to do and which ones they’ve already done. Having them cross things off their chart when they finish something is a great way to keep them motivated.
5. Make a to-do list.
Do you have a long list of things you want to do but can’t seem to get started? Your inability to organize could be caused by a number of factors. One of which is a lack of focus on which goal to prioritize first. So, here’s a proven technique – make a to-do list.
To-do lists can help you track unfinished tasks and better organize your thoughts. With a list, you will be reminded of the tasks you need to complete every time you look at it. From meal planning to organizing your children’s school items to cleaning and organizing the house, creating a to-do list can go a long way!
Want help getting organized?
Keeping organized allows us to feel prepared without being distracted by unfinished tasks. It is the key to having a peaceful mind. However, organizing is never easy because numerous factors can get in the way. So, when things are too heavy for you to handle on your own, contact our professional organizers here at West Jordan Organizing and Cleaning Services.
If you don’t have the time to organize your own closets, drawers, bathrooms, pantries, and bedrooms, call us at 801-921-8494. We’ll do it all for you!
