How To Tips To Help Organize With Kids
Here we are already in February! Was becoming organized on your To-Do-List for the year? I’m a work in progress, I won’t pretend to be organized! However, I have found and continue some simple ways to help get myself organized. When our kids were younger, they had a toy chest and shelves to keep their toys, books, etc. in and knew where to find them. As an adult, yikes! I have ‘stuff’ in every corner of the house. What I am finding to better organize myself are really simple tips and so far seem to be working. Here are a few:
Purchased a canvas tote from a craft store to put the book I’m reading inside. I put pens, a highlighter and a notebook for my notes inside and just grab it when I feel the itch to work on that topic.
I actually have purchased a few of the above, they’re spacious and sturdy. I put my crocheting project in another and again, just grab it when I feel the itch to work on the blanket.
In my art space, well, that’s another story! I have totes for my paints, my papers, markers, etc. When I’m working on a project, I know which medium I’ll be using and find them in the proper tote. I also have a shelving unit for the books and supplies from our donations. This visual keeps me aware of the need of supplies.
Label everything! Your boxes, your totes, your baskets, etc. When you’re looking for something, keep the label side out so when you’re looking for something, you’ll see what space you can find it in.
To organize my thoughts, because my mind doesn’t sleep, I put post it notes on my computer, my desk, the bathroom mirror, etc. so it reminds me of the things I need to get done during the week or the day. As I think of things I add the post it note, as I complete one, I remove the post it note. They have so many fun colors, too!
While these are fairly obvious, I just never took time to organize my own space with these tips. It’s a good habit to get into as well to put your things away when you’re finished with them. My favorite are the tote bags I purchased because I have so many projects I work on, and to be able to grab this bag and find the supplies inside is a time saver and I don’t need to remove a post it note, it’s all included for my taking when I’m ready!
“ Getting organized in the normal routines of life and finishing little projects you’ve started is an important first step toward realizing larger goals. If you can’t get a handle on the small things, how will you ever get it together to focus on the big things? ”
The next time your kids are bored, remind them of the above activities! If you’re organized, they’ll know just where to find the totes to activities with. Here is a little booklet for your children to color. Fold it and let them carry it with them to remind them to be responsible. Here is a simple weekly chart to use with your children and encourage them to be responsible. I always rewarded our kids for their progress or jobs well done. On Friday if they accomplished all their weekly activities, we’d go rent a movie, again, things have changed! Find your sweet spot to keep encouraging your children to be responsible. Here is a coloring page of Responsible Rabbit, use it as a Journal cover or sticker chart or just hang it us as a visual reminder! Our resources are easily implemented into daily routines or classrooms. Our books are on Amazon and can be found here. They’re also on Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million. If you follow our Mindful Monday Words on our blog, there are always FREE print outs and ideas to engage your children in the word. These can be added to your word wall or your Journal Tote!
Responsible Rabbit is one of the nine Characters of Character and teaches our children to be responsible. I thought that sharing these tips on being organized would be a simple way to discuss with your children what it means to be responsible. After all, being organized helps us to find things easier, knowing where we put them, or where they are suppose to be. Plus, when a child learns that they are responsible for certain things in their daily life, they will also become more organized and internalize the trait of responsibility and grow into learning what works for them to be better organized. Here are a few tips to help you get organized to share with your children that they are now responsible to put things where they belong and to take care of items for themself and the family. With the above print out, after discussing what it means to be responsible with your children, use Responsible Rabbit as a sticker chart, or a Journal cover. Keep it visual to remind your child that they are responsible for:
Putting their belongings where they belong. Like dirty clothes in the hamper. Brushing their teeth. Putting their homework in their backpack. Chores, dishes, pets, garbage, etc. Make a visual chart and make sure that it is perfectly clear what their responsibilities are. Having open lines of communication is important. Let them know they are doing a good job, too! Being appreciated and praised helps keep them on the right track.
Make a Science Tote. When your child feels the itch to work on a science activity, they simply bring out the tote that says Science.
Make an Art Tote. When your child feels the itch to work on an art activity, they simply bring out the tote that says Art.
Make a Math Tote. When your child feels the itch to work on math activities, they simply bring out the tote that says Math.
Make a Journal Tote. When your child feels the itch to journal, you got it, pull out the Journal tote.
Make a Writing Tote. When your child feels the itch to write, they simply bring out the tote that says Writing.
Make a Reading Tote. When your child feels the itch to read a good book, they simply bring out the tote that says Reading.
Make a Puzzle Tote. You might want to keep individual puzzles in large clear bags that are labeled. This way if the pieces come apart, you’ll know where to find them.
I suggest filling these with age appropriate activities to keep your child engaged and empower their minds. As you find things on sale, add to the totes. Place a clip board as a visual and where all family members know where it’s located. Then, as supplies are running low, start a list. This way as you’re shopping or bargain hunting, you’ll know some items to keep a look out for.
Graphic By Jen Downey
Here is Responsible Rabbit sharing a reminder to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This is a nice opportunity to put totes out that are labeled so that you and your family will remember to recycle. We have a tote I picked up at the store for a few dollars. One is for plastic, one is for paper and one is for aluminum. This is a great way to share that we are all responsible for the world around us and it starts right here at home. When our kids were little they had drop offs for these materials and you could get paid for dropping them off. Today, some places you have to pay to drop them off. Times change, I know, but to teach our children to be responsible citizens should not go out of style. There are many things that one is responsible for, like their own attitude, or if you have pets, you’re responsible for the duties involved in having a pet. If we want to be organized, we need to become organized! These are just a few ideas I have to share and so far they are working for me, I hope they work for you, too!