When it comes to giving your child the best start in life, one of the best things you can do is instill good organization skills from an early age. As your child evolves into their teens and the working world, being organized is key for boosting productivity, sleeping better, and reducing stress levels. Rather than seeing it as a hefty task, here are some useful tips on how to help your child get organized.
Introduce Checklists
If your child is of school age, now is the perfect time to introduce checklists into their day-to-day life. Getting them into the habit of following a ‘to-do’ list will ensure they tick everything off before it’s time for bed. Whether it’s performing household chores, getting school assignments done, or deciding what materials to take to class, your child can work their way through their checklist which will give them a huge sense of accomplishment. Once your child learns the importance of using a checklist, this will teach them how to strategize tasks better. You can also give incentives to your child to give them something to strive towards, such as an extra hour of screen time.
Teach Time Management Skills
Once your child enters the working world, they will be expected to have excellent time management skills. When your child is in school, there will be all kinds of homework and assignment deadlines they must adhere to. This means it’s wise to teach them time management skills sooner rather than later. Your child can use a calendar to keep note of any tasks that need to be completed. Once your child masters the art of time management, they will understand the importance of working to deadlines and learn how to prioritize.
Purchase the Essentials
Before sending your child off to school, they need to be equipped with the essentials. These include pens, pencils, erasers, and a school bag. If your child plays sports like baseball, there are lots of bags and backpacks you can pick from where they can store their belongings. To avoid any problems, your child can check their bag before heading out the door so they’re confident they have what they need for the day ahead.
Designate a Study Space
If your child returns home from school with homework that needs to be completed, designating a study space in the home for them to do it in is key. For your child to fully concentrate on their work, there mustn’t be any risks of interruptions. While your first thought may be for them to study in their bedroom, this area should be solely used for sleeping. If you have a home office, this can serve as the perfect location for your child to get stuck into their work. Make sure it’s equipped with school supplies and technology like laptops and calculators so your child can use them as and when needed.
Provide Support
As the parent, it’s your job to set a good example. If your child sees you frantically running around the house because you’ve forgotten something, they’re more likely to follow your lead, which will do them no favors. Showing that you’re in full control (even when at times you’re not!) will set an excellent example and help them become more organized. There are other things you can do, like giving your child gentle reminders about keeping materials and papers organized, as well as adhering to assignment deadlines.
While it may take time for your child to get into the swing of things, taking all the tips above on board will help teach your child important lessons about being organized.