K is for Kids Tray

Tray courtesy of The Container Store.

Kids always come home with something from school for you to look at or sign. And what if you have more than one child, that’s a lot to look at it! One thing that could help is to designate a tray or basket for the kids to put their papers in when they come home.

Or to take it to the next level, create folder or folders for each child with their names on them and leave in the tray. They put their paperwork in the folders. Then after you have looked and/or signed everything, put the folders back and make sure the children check inside the folders the next morning.

It creates order and organization and habits are formed.

Age Appropriate Chores Chart for Kids

Im a big fan of this chart. Kids need to learn responsibility and this chart suggests chores that are right for certain ages.  I really wanted to share it with all of the parents out there. Hopeful you can find it useful .

I is for It's Time To Teach Kids Time Management

Kids are not adults! When it comes to getting them to learn organization, it’s a blessing. I found in my experience of raising kids that they respond to routine. Kids can be taught. Kids are also observant and will sometimes mimic what they see and hear. So it’s up to us adults to lead and show them the way. It’s up to us to give them skills that will last them a lifetime.

Of course every child learns differently and at a different pace, but here are a few general suggestions to get them started:

1)    Create a habit of when they change out of their school clothes into their “play” clothes.  And where to put those school clothes.

2)    Create a habit of when and where they do their homework every day. Give them the same place to do it and same time (if possible) to work on it.

3)    Help them organize assignments by getting folders and labeling them. Keeps it all in one place. (sometimes clipboards work too.)

4)    Create an order of how things happen each night: chores, dinner, homework, tv time, bedtime, for example.

5)    Encourage them to pick out their own outfits each night before bedtime. I LOVE not having to worry about what I have to wear when I get up in the morning. AND it saves time.

6)    Lovingly let them know that they are doing a good job!! Positive reinforcement!