Organization

To achieve academic success, it’s important to be organized. Help your child get and stay organized with the following tips.

• Model good organization for your child.
• Develop a plan that works for you and your family. Be sure to modify the plan if it stops working. 
• Communicate. As a family, keep each other informed about schedules, assignments and daily life. Keep a family calendar on the refrigerator with all appointments. 
• Make sure everything has a place, and that everything is in its place. Put things back as soon as you are finished using them.
• Have a specific place where your child can study and complete homework assignments. Make sure it has good lighting, and have pencils, paper and other supplies on hand.
• Place a basket at the door for papers that need to be reviewed or signed. 
• Get things ready the night before. Put your child’s book bag and papers in the same place each night. Clean out your child’s book bag once a week. 
• Keep a list.
• Teach your child to prioritize. First things first. 
• Teach time management skills. Showing children the importance of keeping appointments and being on time are lifelong skills that will help him or her do well throughout life. 
• Be consistent. If we repeat an action 21 times it becomes a habit. 
• Plan for emergencies. Explain to your child that unexpected things can happen. Papers are lost, traffic happens and books are left at home. Being organized helps us handle emergencies better.
• Parents, be patient.