Tips For Getting Your Child Organized

However, because every student is different, barriers to student success can vary widely, ranging from issues with time management to behavioral issues. While many of these concerns require an individualized approach to remedy, we always try to look for ways to globally improve our students' academic well-being.

 

Naturally, strong organizational skills help children succeed in school. But while some children are naturally organized, more than most struggle with organization. In fact, reports show that a lack of organizational skills is the leading barrier to student success. Thankfully, there are ways you can help your child improve their organizational skills no matter their situation. To get started, we’ve compiled a list of handy tips to help make your child a more organized, successful student.

Using a checklist is a great way to keep track of tasks. Whether it be school assignments, household chores, or what books to bring to class, checklists encourage active participation in and out of the classroom. Crossing off completed items provides a sense of accomplishment that encourages students to complete more items. With a variety of formats to choose from ranging from traditional planners to smartphone apps, be sure to sit down with your child to figure out what works best for them.

Teaching your child to organize and prioritize their school assignments is a great way for them to stay one step ahead of deadlines. Encourage them to create a plan at the beginning of a homework session and decide what order to complete the assignments. It’s usually best to start with one that’s relatively short and simple to get things moving before tackling more difficult, time-consuming assignments. For bigger assignments, teach children to break them down into small, easy to manage chunks.

Providing your child with a designated space for daily study is a great way to keep them focused. Older students may opt for a quiet area without a lot of distractions, such as an office or coffee shop. For younger children, consider having the study space near you so that they can ask you for help as needed.

Working with your child to set aside a time every day for study helps to encourage productivity as a force of habit. Designating a routine time for them to work on school activities will make it easier for them to work, allowing them to complete assignments at a faster pace with greater results. If they don’t have homework, they can still use the time to study, read, or work on another quiet activity like a crossword puzzle. Try to avoid designating this time right after school so that your child has a chance to unwind a bit before study time.

Establishing a routine is incredibly important to encouraging the formation of organizational skills. Making a weekly cleanup part of your child’s regular schedule is a great way to introduce them to a short, productive routine. Assist them in going through backpacks, notebooks, and school supplies to throw away any trash, organize completed work, and replenish supplies.

Getting your child organized doesn’t need to be a one man job. Get the whole family involved in the organizational fun with a household schedule! Simple things like regular mealtimes and bedtimes provide a pattern for your child so that they know what to expect throughout the day. Creating a household schedule also makes it easier to introduce routine study time that can easily fit into everyone’s schedule.

It may sound simple, but using a large calendar to keep track of the family’s activities is an easy way to introduce organizational planning to your child. By including commitments, extracurricular activities, big exams or projects, days off, major events, and other items of importance, your child can develop a natural understanding of the time management skills that are necessary for organizational development. This also helps to avoid scheduling conflicts and keeps everyone in the family on the same page!

Remember that, like any skill, organization requires repetition. Try out a few of these tips, find out what works best for your child, and encourage them to stick with it until it becomes a natural part of their day. The increased organization will lead to less stress, better academic performance, and an overall happier child!

 

With smaller class sizes, ample access to technology, and faculty that are dedicated to the success of every student, Westminster provides the best opportunity for your child’s development at an affordable price. If you’d like to learn more, visit our website or schedule a tour today!