organizing kid-spaces

do you constantly have toys, homework, clothes, shoes, bags and stuffed animals lying around your home? Have you tried (and failed) to teach your children to be organized and clean up after themselves? The importance of teaching your children how to organize their things, their time and their life is often taken for granted and over looked until they go off to college and find that they have no idea how to prioritize and manage their life.

It's never too early to start teaching your children responsibility for themselves and their belongings... and the best way to teach them is by modeling organization and creating organized spaces for your children. Below we've included several ideas for organizing your childrens' spaces. Don't feel like you you have to achieve them all in one weekend. Pick one to start with and see if you can implement it successfully before you move onto the next space. Over time, organization will become second nature to you and your children!

create a schedule:
schedules are important for children just as they are for adults. If you children are already in school, they have some sense of what it's like to be on a schedule. If they school age yet, get them in the habit of having specified times for different activities. Have a time each day for stories, crafts, outdoor activities, meals, naps, playing with friends....and a time for picking up and organizing their things. When organizing become "just another part of their day" it will become second nature and will no longer be something they "have to do."

create a place:
children need to have boundaries and specific zones that are set aside for studying, sleeping, toys, games, crafts, clothing, etc. These zones can be entire rooms, sections of rooms or even a piece of furniture such as a storage chest of trunk. Once they have a place for their things and activities, it will be easier for them to pick up and be organized since they already know where everything belongs. Several examples follow:

playing:
you don't need an entire room for playing, you could use part of your child's room or even part of a common area in your house. Use bean bags or a brightly colored rug to designate the "play zone." You could also frame a few pieces of your child's art work for wall decorations. You will need a few storage pieces for toys, games, dress up clothes, etc. The storage bins can be easily removed if needed.

studying:
even if your children are not it school, it is a good idea to practice some type of learning activities with them. Whether it's a educational game, reading or doing school work, it is wise to have an area in your home where these activities take place...even if it is the kitchen table. make sure this area has all the supplies your children need for their studies. If your children are older, you may need an area that can accommodate a computer, printer, scanner and other electronic equipment.

creating:
children love arts and crafts...and love making a mess with them! As adults, it is important for us to encourage their creative ability but it's also important to protect your craft area from getting too messy. An area with hard floor is a must and it might also be a good idea to have a drop cloth over the floor. Use clear storage bins to hold markers, crayons, paints, brushes, scissors and other crafting supplies. Label the bins with a label maker or with permanent markers to you can easily access what you need. Schedule 15 to 20 minutes for clean-up time at the end of the craft so you children understand that they can have fun making a mess with their craft as long as they clean up when their done.

sleeping:
we all know how important sleep is for our children. In order for our children to get a restful night of sleep their zone for sleeping must be calm and clutter free. If their bedroom is also used for crafts, studying or playing, it is all the more important to create organizational systems to assure that their room stays organized. If you children share a room, consider placing a dividing curtain or screen so they will not disturb each other when it's time to settle down and go to sleep.

get started:
As you work with your children to organize their things, remember, it's not always going to be easy. Just like any other cluttered space in your home, it will take work take work to get it organized and keep it organized. However, if you are committed to creating a better life for you, your children and your family, organized spaces are essential.

If you are completely overwhelmed with the idea of organizing your "kid-spaces" or any space in your home, feel free to contact us for assistance. We will be happy to talk with you about your problem, offer SIMPLE solutions and even work with you to implement our organizational plan! We guarantee it will be worth if for you and your children.