Teaching Disorganised Kids to Get it Together

Are your kids disorganised?

Does it drive you nuts?

You're not alone!

Parents and teachers commonly complain about kids' inability to plan and execute even the simplest of tasks.
But how often do you find yourself doing things for your child because it's quicker, easier and more efficient?

It's no wonder our kids can't organise themselves - they've never been given a chance to learn how!

Developing good organisational skills is a key ingredient for success in school and in life.

While some kids are naturally more organised than others, your child will benefit if you can help them to put routines and systems in place so that they can "get it together."

So how can we help our kids to develop the skills they need to stay on top of their responsibilities at home and school?

1. Use checklists.
Help your child get into the habit of keeping a "to-do" list. Your child's checklist might simply detail the steps needed to get ready for school each morning. A list can also be used to keep track of assignments, household chores, and reminders about what materials to bring to class. Kids who are visual learners often function better when reminders are right in front of them and crossing completed items off the list gives kids a sense of accomplishment.

2. Get homework time under control.
Before beginning a homework session, encourage your child to number assignments in the order in which they should be done. Your child should start with one that's not too long or difficult - this builds a sense of success and achievement. Avoid saving the longest or hardest assignments till last - when a child is tired, they are less likely  to persist in the face of a challenge.

3. Designate a study space.
Your child should complete homework and study in the same place every time. This doesn't have to be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions. All school supplies and materials should be nearby - a ‘homework box' containing a ruler, pens, pencils, dictionary and calculator is always a good idea for those who get distracted as they search for that missing, but essential, homework tool! If your young child wants to study with you nearby, you'll be better able to monitor progress and encourage good study habits, however, make sure you encourage independence and avoid the trap of answering all the homework questions yourself!

4. Set a designated study time.
Your child should know that a certain time every day is reserved for studying and doing homework. The best time is usually not right after school - most children benefit from time to unwind first. Include your child in this decision and realise that some kids might work better in the morning. So if you are early risers, don't turn the TV on - get some homework done while your kids are fresh and compliant! On days when your child doesn't have homework, the reserved time should be used to review the day's lessons, read for pleasure, or work on an upcoming project. The exception is Friday afternoons... all young kids need time to chill out and play with their mates!

5. Keep organised notebooks.
Kids get lots of worksheets at school, and this can turn into a messy nightmare of paper and problems. Help your child keep track of work by organising worksheets in a binder or notebook. This will help your child to review the material for each day's classes and to organise the material later to prepare for tests and quizzes. Use dividers to separate class notes, or colour-code notebooks. Don't forget to decide on a central place to store completed assignments.

6. Conduct a weekly cleanup.
Encourage your child to sort through book bags, tote trays and exercise books on a weekly basis. Old tests and papers should be organized and kept in a separate file at home.

7. Create a household schedule.
Try to establish and stick to a regular dinnertime and a regular bedtime. This will help your child fall into a pattern at home. Children with a regular bedtime go to school well-rested. Try to limit television-watching and computer play to specific periods of time during the day.

8. Keep a master calendar.
Keep a large, wall-sized calendar for the household, listing the family's commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, and major events at home and at school. Note dates when your child has big exams or due dates for projects. This will help family members keep track of each other's activities and avoid scheduling conflicts.

9. Prepare for the day ahead.
Before your child goes to bed, he should pack schoolwork and books in his school bag. The next day's clothes should be laid out with shoes, socks, and accessories. This will cut down on morning confusion and allow your child to prepare quickly for the day ahead.

10. Provide support while your child is learning to become more organised.
Help your child develop organisational skills by setting a good example! When you keep checklists and schedules taped to the refrigerator, regularly update your calendar and keep papers and materials organised, you are showing your kids how it's done!