The unfolding of the school year brings with it a number of issues, which can influence the quality of family life. Homework, projects, studying for tests, waking up to catch the bus, and a host of other “student“ responsibilities, for one reason or another become the focal point of family conflicts. Dealing with these issues after they occur can lead to very stressful and often antagonistic interactions. After all, whose science project is it anyway? Since effective parenting is often retrospective, and since all difficult situations tend to occur again, the following organizational ideas may represent a way for you to prevent the types of situations that are plaguing you, while also teaching children to become self managing.
- Use checklists – Teach kids how to use them; have an assignment pad, cross off completed items, review daily.
- Organize homework assignments- don’t save the hardest assignment for last.
- Set a designated study area – include the child in that decision.
- Set a designated study time – don’t forget to unwind (parent and child).
- Keep organized notebooks – dividers, color coding, to-do lists.
- Weekly clean-ups.
- Household schedules that are not just about school.
- Keep a master calendar.
- Prepare for the day ahead.
- Provide support, reminders, and rewards as your child learns to organize.
- Teach children how to break down tasks into parts and sequences.
- Teach strategies and shortcuts to get the job done more easily.
- Allow room for decision making.
- Help children learn to think for themselves.
- Supervise homework completion, not accuracy.
- Help develop a way to store, save, and transport papers and books to and from school.
- For large projects, help the child think and analyze the steps needed.
- Pack books as soon as homework is done.
- Talk to each other about plans, needs, and other stuff.
- Streamline clothes, toys, and other hobbies or interests
- Make sure desks and furniture are the right size and shape for the child.
- Compartmentalize and label everything you can – avoid large storage places.
- Be accountable and hold children accountable – create and manage chores for all – make sure the jobs involve sorting, classifying, organizing and planning.
- Make things easier, not harder, as part of the teaching process.
- Keep a family calendar in a prominent place – make sure it is constantly updated.
- Family meetings are a good way to review, prepare, and plan.
- Keep items that have to leave the house near the front door – use racks, hooks, boxes, a return shelf.
- Provide models of assignments and criteria for success
- Teach editing and review efforts
- Encourage self-evaluation
- Provide ongoing feedback, praise, and support.
- Give children choices
- Encourage keeping track of time, scheduling, and tracking of assignments.
- Know the teacher’s plan
- Remember it is a process, not an event.
- Praise, praise, and more praise.
- Try not to lose your temper.