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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.   

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