#1
LET’S READ!
We all know the importance of staying organized; organization is something that children and adults alike need to learn in order to be successful in school and in life. While some people are naturally more organized than others, there are small things anyone can do to help keep their lives running smoothly. Let’s talk about them!
We already have a Talk Time dedicated to time management, but it’s worth mentioning here–organizing your calendar is an extremely helpful practice! Not only does it save time to know when things are happening, but it also helps to know where things are happening so you can plan when you have to leave. Don’t forget to take traffic into account!
Keeping track of everyone’s activities can be tricky. Kids are so busy these days that it’s important for everyone to be aware of the schedule. Lots of families like to have a family calendar hanging on the fridge or someplace else where everyone can see it. Kids are encouraged to look at the calendar each day or write down their activities on the days they have them. This helps the entire family know when things are happening for other family members!
LET’S TALK!
1. Why is it important to stay organized?
2. Does your family have a calendar to help everyone keep track of what’s happening in their lives? Why or why not?
3. Have you noticed a difference between when you plan the timing of things versus when you don’t? Which one do you like better and why?
#2
LET’S READ!
“Mom, I can’t find my other shoe!” All parents have heard some version of this, and this problem is the reason it’s important to organize our surroundings. This includes clothes, belongings, and anything else that might be around us. For example, many houses have a mud room where shoes and coats can be left when family members come inside, and it’s a good idea to have things like coat hooks and coat racks along with shelves or cubbies for shoes. Coat hooks are also great for backpacks and purses. It’s nice to have a special place to keep certain items, so everyone always knows where they can find those things.
It’s also a good idea to have a place for the cleaning supplies in your home. Many people keep vacuums, brooms, and mops in storage closets where they’re out of the way, since they’re not the prettiest to look at and they could cause people to trip. Supplies with chemicals like bleach are typically kept under kitchen or bathroom sinks because they’re used in kitchens and bathrooms. It makes sense to keep supplies near the places where they’re used so it’s easier to use them (and so you don’t forget where they are).
LET’S TALK!
1. Where do you keep your cleaning supplies? Tell your child.
2. Do you ever get stressed when there’s clutter in your house? Why or why not?
3. Where do people keep things like shoes and backpacks in your house? Explain the answer to your child. If you don’t have a specific place, do you want one?
#3
LET’S READ!
Lists are another great way to keep life organized. Each year during back to school season, which happens in late July and early August, it’s a great idea to make lists of what children will need during the school year–and these lists can be made by parents and kids alike! Lots of things go on these lists, such as pencils, pens, folders, notebooks, binders, crayons, colored pencils, and markers. Older kids usually need things like scissors, highlighters, and staplers too. Next back to school season, try making a list with your child of all the things they will need for school!
It’s also extremely common for people to make grocery lists: lists of things they need to buy next time they go to the grocery store. Have you ever realized you need something, then forgotten what it was later? That’s the whole reason these lists exist. While we’re at the grocery store, they remind us what we don’t have at home. It’s a great idea to add things to the grocery list as soon as you realize you don’t have them so you can remember them for later and stay organized with what food you have at home!
LET’S TALK!
1. What are some ways you can stay organized?
2. Do you usually make grocery lists? Why or why not? Are they helpful for you?
3. What else do you make lists for? Tell your child about to-do lists, be they daily, weekly, or monthly.
#4
LET’S READ!
Let’s talk about one more way to stay organized: storage! There are lots of storage alternatives for organization, but no matter what one you use, you’ll be grateful you no longer have stuff sitting all over the floor, counters, or desks of your home.
One of these ways to organize things is storage bins. These bins come in all kinds of sizes and are typically made of a durable plastic. Lots of them come with lids, and they can be found at your local Walmart or Target. So many things fit in these bins! They can be filled with toys, blankets, or clothes, and they can be stacked on top of each other to save even more room.
Another storage organization technique is drawer organizers. These organizers are typically made out of cloth and can be used in closets or dresser drawers to create more room for things like socks, underwear, jewelry, and whatever else people want to use them for. There are also organizers for shoes that can be hung in closets or draped over closet doors so those shoes don’t have to be left on the floor. There are many, many ways to organize your life, and this is just the tip of the iceberg!
LET’S TALK!
1. There’s one thing we haven’t talked about–storage units! Tell your child what storage units are and why they’re so helpful.
2. What types of things need to be organized in your room? Do you have a plan for how to organize them?
3. Do you think organizing things is fun? Why or why not?
VOCABULARY WORDS:
organize, successful, activities, calendar, schedule, encourage, list, supplies, personal space, storage, mementos, belongings
ACTIVITIES:
• Do you have a family calendar? If not, make one! Buy a yearly calendar or a whiteboard calendar from the store, then put it somewhere where everyone can see it and write on it (if they’re old enough). Talk about what people should write on this calendar, why, and when.
• Have a grocery or other shopping trip coming up? Make a list of what you’ll need! Let your child help you, then let them accompany you to the store to get the items on the list. Remind them why it’s both helpful and important to stay organized.
• Take a field trip through your house and find all the storage stuff you have! Think about shoe racks, coat hooks, storage bins, etc. Let your child see how much of your stuff is in storage. If you have a storage unit, take your child there and let them take a peek at all the stuff inside!
• Have clutter that needs organizing? Make a fun storage plan with your child and find a day to implement it. Turn it into a shopping trip, then spend a day organizing your belongings.
RESOURCES:
1. DIY Toy Storage – Kids Room Organization (YouTube Video)
2. How to Make DIY Super Secret Stash Picture Frame (YouTube Video)
3. Storage Cubbie – Shelf for Kids Toys (YouTube Video)
4. DIY Kids’ Bed with Storage (YouTube Video)
5. Organized Ninja: A Children’s Book About Organization and Overcoming Messy Habits by Mary Nhin (Grow Grit Press, 2020)
6. Things Organized Neatly: The Art of Arranging the Everyday by Austin Radcliffe (Universe, 2016)
7. I’ll Build You a Bookcase by Jean Ciborowski Fahey (Lee & Low Books, 2022)
