An Organized Workspace Helps Keep Kids on Track

Homework is a fact of life for most school kids and their parents. Keeping kids on track starts with creating a positive and well organized workspace.

First and foremost, develop an organized homework routine. Timing is a big issue. For example a seven year old may need to play for a while when they get home, while a eleven year old may head straight up to their room and starts their homework right away.

Either approach works great so long as there is some consistency regarding the time (and place) homework is done. Developing an organized schedule may also help avoid procrastination. Just because your child may not have homework on a particular night, does not mean they can’t use their ‘homework time’ for pleasure reading or working on an upcoming project.

I’ve also learned having your child play a role in selecting where school work is done is VERY important. While a desk works for one, it may not work for the other. The kitchen table may be a better option. Regardless of the location it’s important to select a spot with adequate lighting, one that is comfortable for working, and is as free from as many distractions as possible. Large, clutter-free work surfaces are best.

Homework time is also a good time for the whole family to pursue quiet activities e.g. paying bills, reading, writing etc. Not only does this provide a good work environment, it models positive behavior as your child sees you working at things that require effort. You may also consider a ‘no phone call’ policy during this time.

If your child’s school doesn’t enforce the use of an organized homework agenda, create your own. Both agendas and checklists have become invaluable tools in our home. Keeping a running ‘to do’ list helps not only kids organized and on top of assignments, but it reminds them about what materials they need to take to class. Crossing completed items off the list gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Help your child develop an organized homework plan and estimate together how long each assignment should take. Also assist them in prioritizing homework assignments in the order in which they should be done. Starting with one that’s not too long or difficult is a good idea as long as they don’t save the longest or hardest assignments for last.

Teach your child how to manage and organize their time and structure long-term school projects. Understanding how to break down big assignments into smaller more manageable steps will be important to your child’s overall academic success.

Please pay close attention to due dates. When dealing with assignments like science fair projects, your child should not only note project requirements and due dates but also their plan of attack. Post required steps like visits to the library or the purchase of materials.

Talk with your child about the importance of not leaving school until they check the assignment list and makes sure they have any necessary books and materials.
Keep school supplies and storage areas organized. Making sure your child has all the necessary supplies shows him that you take his work seriously.

Help children stay organized by encouraging them to get in the habit of putting textbooks, binders, signed notes, and other necessary materials inside their backpack as soon as they are finished with them. And finally, keeping their backpack in the same location every night eliminates last minute panic.




c Heather Burke, Smart Spaces 2002

Getting Organized for the New School Year

In the next couple of weeks routines will be changing. School starts, after school activities begin and the “new year” commences. Beat the last-minute rush to “get it together” by helping the students and your family get organized.

Make a list of what worked last year and what didn’t – and what you would like to change. Examples: Was morning chaotic? Front entrance a disaster? Now is the time to set up systems to correct the problems.

It is time to get back on schedule. Bedtimes and wake up times should reflect what normally happens during the school year. It is easier to start the change in routine before the school year starts. Even the kindergarteners can recognize where the big and little hand are on the clock. A big analogue clock in the student’s room will remind them of the time.

Back to school supplies are on special now. If you have the dedicated space for school supplies, stock up and save some money. Ideally the space should be at the homework centre and readily accessible to the student, whether this is a desk in the students’ room or on the kitchen or dining room table. There are many creative storage solutions that will work in your space. If necessary keep a “supply box/container” Inventory your student’s school supplies 3-4 times a year. Supplies are used, borrowed or easily lost or broken. If you know what supplies you have and what you will need, you will never be caught short before a big project is due.

Work together to organize the homework centre, explaining that an organized work area is a tool to help the student do their best job. Make sure that there is a “home” for everything or as our mother’s told us “A place for everything and everything is in its space”. Items used on a daily basis –pencils, computer paper, dictionary should be within easy reach: less frequently used items can be placed further back. Ensure that there is adequate lighting in the homework centre.
Homework time is also a good time for the whole family to pursue quiet activities i.e. paying bills, reading, writing etc. Not only does this provide a good work
environment, it models positive behavior as your child sees you working at things that require effort. You may also consider a “no phone call” policy during this time.

An organized backpack will help both the student and the parent. Showing your child how to effectively use their backpack can eliminate a lot of last minute panic. Have the student use the main section for books, binders, homework folder or agenda. Signed permission slips and other notes returning to school should always go in the same outer pocket so the student knows where to look to hand in the slips or notes. The remaining small organizing pouches are ideal for separating pens, pencils and calculators from personal items. Keeping the backpack in the same location every night eliminates last minute panic

Each child should have an Individual binder for home with contact information, the school telephone numbers, the school bus info, after school activities and other information relevant to the student.

Create a “Landing Zone”. Decide at the beginning of the school year where items go as soon as the student walks in through the door. Where are backpacks put to sort through the daily paperwork and the leftover lunch items? Where are backpacks put when the homework is complete? Create an organized area by the door you use most often. Find a nearby “home” for everything that usually ends up in a pile on the floor. Consider adult and child size hooks hung at appropriate heights. If you have the room, supply a bench for putting on shoes and books and for organizing (on the shelf beneath) hats, gloves and other outdoor gear in labelled bins. Deacon’s benches with hidden storage compartments are also good as long as there is a supply of open bins to separate and organize items. OR

Deacon’s benches with hidden storage compartments are also good but a jumble of lose items does nothing to toward keeping you and your family organized. A supply of open bins put inside the storage section would better organize things.

Now is also the time to go through the students clothes and determine what still fits and what need replacing. Clothes that no longer fit can be past down or donated to charity. Organize the clothing so that it makes sense to the student. It is easier to plan their daily wardrobe if they can find and see all their clothes. Ensure that clothing is easily accessible and that there is adequate storage for clothing for that season and the off season.


After school activities. Do all items, clothing and equipment have a “home”? Create a specific spot for all items related to that activity so there is no mad panic searches before the activity starts.

Courses and Workshops September 2009

Heather will be offering the following courses and workshops in September at Brookfield High School in Ottawa:

Organizing 101 for the School Year (32721)

Monday, September 21 @7pm

The school year has started, all the papers and stuff are beginning to accumulate. Learn some of the ways to keep your kids organized between September and June.

Time Management for Students (32723)

Tuesday, September 22 @7pm

Between, school, sports, job and friends, there doesn't seem to be enough time. Learn strategies for managing your time more effectively.

Time Management - Procrastination Prevention (33425)

Monday September 28 @7pm

Do you have many things that you would like to accomplish, but rarely get them off the ground? We will identify the different types of procrastination. You will learn to get past procrastination and onto productive and timely activities.

Managing Your Time and Balancing Your Life (33424)

Tuesday September 29 @7 and Monday October 5

How do some people manage to use time for effectively? You too can make time work for you, become more productive and still have a person life!

To Register for the above courses, please telephone 613.239.2751