If your family’s morning feels more like an obstacle course relay race than a leisurely jaunt to school, put some calm in your crazy by teaching your kids the power of organization. It doesn’t take a psychological study to know that being organized can significantly reduce stress, which invariably means better concentration, higher grades and improved communication with teachers and fellow students. Fight the frenzy with these 10 great “get organized” tips from BigIQKids.com:
- Behold the power of the checklist! A little positive reinforcement (a hug, a smile or a simple “great job!”) each time he crosses a homework assignment or household chore off a well-prepared checklist will help him associate completing tasks with a feeling of accomplishment.
- Prioritize homework assignments. Start with one that’s not too difficult or too time consuming to help get your child on a roll. Then, strike while the iron’s hot and have him tackle a bigger assignment. Save another of the smaller assignments for last to help avoid that restless distraction that can happen just before the home stretch.
- Designate a quiet study space with few distractions (no TV!) and keep it stocked with school supplies and materials.
- Designate a homework/study time at the same time each day. Allow your child a few minutes to unwind after school and then get busy. What – no homework today? Then have your child study for an upcoming test, get started on an ongoing project or read for pleasure.
- Purge! Encourage your child to conduct a weekly cleanup of his backpack and notebooks. You may want to keep old tests and assignments in a separate file at home to help track your child’s progress. But those paper airplanes and the sweet note to the cute new girl three rows over? Toss ‘em. (Okay, maybe tuck that sweet note away in a photo album – but the rest goes.) If a teacher requires a notebook check, make sure your child has all needed assignments in the proper order in the proper notebooks.
- Create and stick to a regular after-school schedule that includes a quick wind-down break, homework/study time, chores, dinnertime, bath time and bed time. Don’t forget to schedule a little leisure time – it’s important too!
- Keep a master calendar that allows for quick viewing of all family commitments, holidays, extracurricular and sports calendars, tests and big school projects to avoid scheduling conflicts. Keep any related checklists, such as a checklist outlining materials, steps and deadlines for school projects nearby.
- Send him to bed with a clear head. Designate an area in your child’s bedroom where he lays out his clothes and shoes (including undies, socks and jacket) for the next day, as well as his backpack and any extras needed for school.
A little organization of school work, schedules and before-school routines can help make your child's school day and home life stress-free.
Back to School time can be an anxious one for kids. BigIQKids offers tips to turn those nervous jitters into excitement:
- Get back to into a school-friendly routine. Summertime can mean crazy bedtimes, sweet tooth habits and late-night movie marathons that lead to late morning sleep-ins. A few weeks before school begins, switch back to school-year bedtimes, healthier eating habits and tame playtime schedules to ensure your child’s body clock is set for success. And use BigIQKids’ fun learning games to help gear them up for spelling, math, reading and geography.
- Bring summer to a memorable close. Throw a back to school party with neighborhood friends or plan a summer’s end outing with the family.
- Get the look. Never underestimate the power of new stuff to help get your kids psyched about the new school year. Take a fun shopping trip for a few new items of clothing, new backpacks and school supplies – even a new haircut. Feeling that they’re looking their best can do wonders for a child’s confidence, especially older children.
- Give them a roadmap. Most schools hold an orientation a week or so prior to the start of the new school year. This is a prime time to walk your child’s school-day route with him, making sure he knows where his classrooms and other important spots are. Make sure you cover all the bases, including the front office, school clinic, playground, gymnasium, lunchroom, restrooms, water fountains, drop-off and pick-up spots and bus stops.
- Get organized. Help your child label folders and book covers for various subjects, pack his backpack, choose and lay out his clothes and pack a healthy lunch and snack. Also make sure to include a note with your phone number should your child need to contact you after school. It’s a great idea to use index cards that can be laminated to help keep them intact.
- Prepare your child’s teacher. Let him or her know about any health or behavior specifics that might affect your child’s classroom success. For instance, if the teacher knows that your child has a vision or hearing issue, he or she will know to assign your child a seat near the board or the teacher’s desk. This will help assure that your child doesn’t miss directions or lessons, and can help reduce the chances of an embarrassing or stressful situation. Don’t be a pest, though. Remember that your child’s teacher has a classroom full of anxious young students who need attention too.
- Encourage your child to speak up. Read story books about going back to school or role play school situations, fostering the confidence to actively participate. This is important both for learning as well as for your child’s protection. Make sure he knows it’s okay to ask the teacher for help if he’s having trouble, feeling anxious or being bullied.
Talk it out, then relax. Help your child think of all the positives about going back to school, such as seeing friends for the first time since summer began or an annual school festival they always enjoy. Then, relax. Going overboard with preparation can have the opposite effect of what you’re aiming for, but just a little preparation can go a long way.
Help get your child excited about going back to school with BigIQKids.com.
