From the moment your child beings going to school, he will start to develop study habits and skills that will remain with him throughout the rest of his academic career. Organization is a skill that is difficult for many students and it’s learned over time. Here are some ways to help your child learn and develop organizational skills at school and at home.
Binders and Folders
One place to start good organization habits is in your child’s school bag. Some students have a habit of stuffing loose papers straight into their backpack which makes it difficult to locate papers and can cause them to lose assignments. Binders are a great way to keep all of your child’s assignments and papers in one place. Try using color coded dividers to separate each subject your child is studying or a different colored folder for each class. Binders and folders will keep your child’s notes, assignments, and other important school documents neat and ordered. They also reduce the chance of your child accidently leaving assignments and other papers at school.
Calendars and Planners
Help your child with time management by keeping a large monthly calendar somewhere visible in your home. Update the calendar daily with your child to include upcoming tests, quizzes, and extracurricular activities. Keeping a calendar in your home will provide a visual reminder to your child of his schedule and responsibilities. A personal weekly planner will also encourage organization by teaching him how to record homework assignments, due dates, and extracurricular activities independently. It will help your child see his weekly schedule as a whole which contributes to developing prioritization and time management skills.
Designate a Study Space
Some students focus better with background noise while other students require complete silence. Help your child find a study space in your home that will accommodate his study environment preferences and needs. A comfortable, organized study area will help your child focus while doing homework and studying for exams. Keep the study area stocked with necessary school supplies that your child may need to complete her assignments.
Incorporating habits that encourage organization into a weekly routine will allow it to become an automatic skill for your child. Remember that every student learns differently; some students are visual learners, while others are auditory or kinesthetic learners. It is important for you to discover what ways best fit your child’s individual learning needs.
