Wednesday, July 31, 2002

How to get your child organized and live to tell about it

As the summer months wind down, parents and children are undoubtedly turning their attention to the coming school year with a mixture of anticipation and excitement, perhaps even dread.

A new school year presents fresh challenges and lays waste to the decidedly less frantic summer routine for both parents and children. The fact is, the "three R's" have given way to a much more daunting schedule of classes, clubs, practices and assorted extracurricular activities for young students to navigate.

Parents can help their children stay focused and successful by encouraging good organizational habits. The more organized your child's schedule is, the more likely it is that you'll be able to keep your own schedule. Renee King, time-management and organizing expert with AT-A-GLANCE, the leading manufacturer of calendars and organizing supplies, offers these tips to parents to help their children get organized.

Dip your toe in the planning water. Encourage children to use a school planner to keep assignments in order. Parents should review the planner with the child often, and talk about upcoming assignments and exams. In order to make things less stressful, have your child list upcoming activities in the planner as well, such as a football game or birthday party.

Begin each morning the night before. Pack book bags, lay out clothes, prepare lunches and review assignments due the next day so that children and parents have little to worry about as they leave in the morning.

Set aside "homework time." Set aside time each night for homework so that it becomes routine. Be considerate of your child's homework time by not watching television; in fact, "homework time" can be used by parents as well, to pay bills, write correspondence, etc. Designate a work area for the child, such as a desk in the child's room, or a dining room or kitchen table, where the child can spread the work out with little distraction.

Allow "down time" each night. Just as adults need time to unwind from a hectic day, so too do children. Set aside time after homework for children to relax. Encourage productive relaxation such as reading a book for fun. It's also a good time for the entire family to catch up on the day's activities.

The family that plans together... Designate a "check in" station in a common area in the house for everyone, such as the kitchen. Lay out a daily planner or calendar and mark significant events coming up, such as doctor's appointments for parents and children. Encourage children to stop by the "check-in" station each morning and evening to update themselves on what might be going on that week. Also, encourage children to write in their own significant events (with parents' approval), such as practices, school plays, and birthday parties. This encourages responsibility and organization, and children see that their responsibilities are as significant as those of their parents.

The keys to staying organized are planning in advance and developing a routine. By staying ahead of the game, both children and parents can be prepared for what is coming up, and can be better prepared to handle those situations that have a tendency to pop up at the least convenient time.

For more information, please visit www.ataglance.com.

Back to Dining Guide Home Page | Back to the top of the page