Starting the School Year Out Organized
Photo by Feliphe Schiarolli on Unsplash
Do
weekday's mornings always seem like a race against the clock for you?
Preparation and organization are the key things to all parents and kids morning
sanity. Getting organized can make your life as a parent and that of your kid
easier. So, summer is coming to a close meaning that back to school time is
approaching. The school year comes with so much stress and responsibilities for
parents. But that should not be the case. You can start the school year out
organized by following these tips:
Creating
a regular daily routine and sticking to it will help
your child learn what to expect and do right from morning to evening. Having a
household schedule will determine when your kids shower, eat, do their
homework, complete other house chores, and know when it’s bedtime. A good idea
is using a picture schedule and a clock for better time management skills.
Creating
a to-do list and referring to it will help your kid organize their time. A
to-do list can be as simple as what to carry to class or things to do before
bed. Teach your child how to use checklists and post their assignments and
house chores there. Upon completion of a task, they should mark it. This will
make your child feel a sense of achievement. You can buy a notebook or a small
pad for noting down their to-do list. A dry-erase board can also work better.
Alternatively,
apps can help you create a shared checklist with your child. By this, you will
track which assignments your kid is finishing fast and which ones are taking
longer. This way, you will know the subjects they need help with.
Help
your kid break school projects and assignments into smaller and manageable
portions. Let them number their assignments in the order in which they should
be completed. This will make assignments feel less overwhelming. If they have a
project that is not to be completed right away, show them how to organize it
into bits so that it is done smoothly in the given time.
Your
child should have a study space where they carry out their
homework. The place should be comfortable, have adequate lighting, and quiet
with fewer distractions. Also, have all school supplies and any materials
needed nearby.
Have
a large wall-sized calendar at your home. Encourage your kid to list down
important tasks. They can be exam dates, extracurricular activities, major
events at home and school, and due dates for projects. As a parent, include family
commitments and your important dates here. This will help you to keep track of
your kid's activity and it will help avoid a scheduling conflict.
Help
your kid organize and keep track of their
papers by arranging them in a binder or on a folder. A great way is to assign
colors for each subject. Buy brightly colored folders where assignments for
each subject will be placed. Also, have separate folders for to-do and
completed projects. Folders will help your kid organize all their worksheets
and items in a central place. When there is a place for everything, staying
organized is easy. Your kid will find items easily and also keep them neat.
Where
do your kids place their backpacks, lunch boxes, shoes, coats, and gloves when
they get home in the evening? Having a place for each item will help keep your
home clean and organized. Also, your kid will know
where to get what they need.
It
is good to sort out book bags and notebooks weekly. Old assignments, tests, and
papers should be sorted out and kept in a separate folder at home. Other things
like wrappers and debris should be thrown in the trash. Help your kid clean up
and organize their backpack to keep it always neat.
This
may be a tough one for both the parent and the kid. However, when you get used
and make a habit of preparing at night, your mornings will be easy ones. Let
your child help you lay out clothes, shoes, and accessories for the next day.
Also, their books should be packed the night before and any devices that need
to be charged plugged in the charger. By getting prepared the night before, you
cut any possible morning confusions. Also, your kid will prepare quickly. And you will sleep peacefully knowing that
everything is packed and ready for the day.
Final Note
As
summer wanes, it's good to get ready for the new school year. Make the school
year less stressful by applying these tips that will help you start the school
year out organized.
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