Monday

Teach Children to Organize as Soon as They are Old Enough to Walk

Children can organize.  Yet, some parents don't bother to teach children.  They prefer to manage every room in the house which is merely showing their offspring they can rely on them to clean up.  But what happens when parents are unable to manage the household?  The dirty dishes will remain in the sink.  Toys will stay in the center of the floor.  Shoes will be everywhere but where they are supposed to be.  When the home is in disarray to the point that adults can't even stand to live there, now someone is yelling, "Why aren't the kids cleaning up!?"  They weren't taught or they were but someone dropped the ball on maintaining the discipline.

So let's get children on track, shall we?

1.  Toys need a place.  So they will need to be sorted.  Use labels or stickers to show children where they belong.  When they are done playing, have them clean up.  No eating, drinking, praising, or fun stuff until they organize.   

2.  Be sure you and your partner are model citizens, kids will be watching.  In other words, practice what you preach.

3.  Place reminders near problem areas.  For instance, Johnny Doe has the tendency to take his shoes off somewhere he shouldn't, place a sign there to remind him until he gets it (if he doesn't know how to read, display a mean face pointing at him).  If the child still doesn't learn, hide his shoes and keep hiding shoes until he has none.  He'll learn.

4.  Tell children that if they organize something around the home without you having to tell them, they will get rewarded i.e.) toy store trip, arcade, mall, etc.

5.  Walk children through the residence like they are guests and remind them where everything goes.  Ask them what do they think about the way things are organized and do they have any suggestions.

6.  Find videos (like the ones on this blog) and show children how to organize various things.

7.  Inform visitors kindly about the way your home is organized and explain why you want them to help keep your place organized.  "Grandma, please don't clean up after them advise them to manage their messes...Don't leave these things out, place them here...Toys are not left all over the floor while the child is somewhere else..."

When making purchases for organizers for children, be sure they are:

1.  Stable and secure.
2.  Not too high.
3.  Smooth edges.
4.  Easy to manage--wheeled bins are great for children who have large, heavy toys.
5.  Colorful and fun.
6.  Transparent for small items.
7.  Few compartments.

Nicholl McGuire is the author of When Mothers Cry and other books.   

No comments:

Blogs Worth Mentioning

Organizer Blog Topics for Home, Office & Beyond

how to get organized organize home apartment garage closet kitchen organizing for the holidays organize bedroom organize bathroom decluttering organization organize office how to organize an event how to organize shoes organize basement organizing spring cleaning advice on keeping home clean desk home decoration how to organize coupons how to organize tools moving organize attic organize children persuasion storage containers to do list about us childrens closet and room home organization how to clean how to organize clothes how to organize freezer how to organize garden how to organize home how to organize life how to organize makeup how to organize papers new year tips organize kitchen save money arts and crafts back to school shopping cardboard boxes and bins closet organizer family fast organization helping someone get organized hoarders holiday decorations packing and storing home organization stores hotel bed how to decorate bookshelves how to organize backpack how to organize car how to organize closet how to organize clutter how to organize college how to organize cords how to organize craft room how to organize dvds how to organize mail how to organize medicine cabinet how to organize money how to organize music how to organize pantry how to organize photos how to organize plastic food containers how to organize purse how to organize refrigerator how to organize room how to organize shed how to set table laundry room motivation organize home office organize narrow kitchen cabinet organized moms organizer tools organizing home for make-over shoes tips for organizers toys tv shows 1980s inspired organizers Christmas gift wrap Christmas storage tips Thanksgiving organizing apple reminders appliances art gallery art ideas art work blog owner bra organizer cables car organization carpet shampoo chargers cheap organizing childrens cabinet coats coin collection collectibles covid work space creative tips drawer dividers emergency preparedness food storage furniture shopping gamer organizers gifts good housekeeping hobbies holiday giving guide holiday meal clean up holiday meal planning holiday prep holiday shopping home business home buying home care home decoration apps home design home organizers how artists get organized how to arrange livingroom how to clean your bedroom how to eliminate stress and worry how to get organized for the holidays how to get your link on this site how to make book jar how to make small room bigger how to organize Internet tasks how to organize a desk how to organize a small linen closet how to organize any room fast how to organize anything how to organize apps how to organize baby bottles how to organize baby changing table how to organize beauty samples how to organize bedroom closets how to organize bikes how to organize binder how to organize cell phone numbers how to organize chest drawers how to organize childrens dishes how to organize childrens files how to organize childrens rooms how to organize closet by color how to organize coat closet how to organize coffee table how to organize computer documents how to organize craft supplies how to organize crayons and coloring books how to organize cube shelves how to organize digital photos how to organize dishes how to organize dolls clothes how to organize email inbox how to organize entryway how to organize garden tools how to organize grocery list how to organize home filing cabinet how to organize hotel stay how to organize ideas how to organize jewelry how to organize kitchen how to organize kitchen cabinets how to organize kitchen drawers how to organize magazines how to organize nightstand how to organize notebook planner how to organize notes how to organize paper how to organize paperwork how to organize party how to organize party beverages how to organize perfumes how to organize phone how to organize playroom how to organize pots how to organize receipts how to organize recipes how to organize scrapbook supplies how to organize sewing room how to organize small kitchen how to organize spices how to organize stuff how to organize suitcase how to organize table top how to organize teen closet how to organize the coat closet how to organize time how to organize under bathroom sink how to organize under kitchen sink how to organize underwear how to organize wallet how to organize wardrobe how to organize workout how to organize your home how to organize your mind how to organize youtube channel how to paint kitchen cabinets how to paint walls how to plan your day how to prepare items for uploading how to set a buffet party table iPhone home screen kids art kitchen organization ideas labelmaker laziness lazy susan legal documents lux look minimalism multifunctional furniture neat freak need web content no money make-over nursery open shelf oragnizing organize briefcase organize files organize for freedom organize garage organize information organize instructions organize kitchen utensils organize life organize mind organize trip organize your child organized people organizing around unsightly appliances organizing bedsheets organizing people organizing protest organizing resources outdoor space pans and lids party invite professional organizers rearranging furniture for the holidays redecorating for the holidays reorganization roommates sanitary napkins social feed reader st. patricks day storing clothes super bowl party ideas tampons teen bedroom tips on organizing children tool cabinet organization trading rooms in house wall art wall decorating wall hangings wedding why organize workshop
Custom Search