For Teachers

Every parent, teacher and mentor of a child knows the rewards of having an organized child.  Teaching children to be organized is a daunting task but the outcome is worth the challenge.  The path to success starts with establishing systems and routines that bring order to children’s lives.  As noted by the author’s of The Organized Student, “Few children are neat, but every child can learn to be organized”.  Consistent, sensible routines create life long habits that help children save time, feel self-confident, act independently, and be self-motivated.

Teachers consistently express the desire for more quality time in the classroom.  By creating systems and processes for students to follow in the classroom, less time is spent looking for items and more time is available for teaching and learning.  A cluttered and disorganized desk or work area increases distractions and causes internal disharmony making learning more challenging.  Research suggests that children in an organized environment have fewer chances to be distracted and an increased ability to focus and learn.  Anything that can be done to create a more predictable environment is conducive to learning. 

An organized personal space within the classroom and at home creates an atmosphere that is both predictable and comforting for children.  Comfort and security are linked to increased self-confidence and children naturally gravitate toward greater independence when they feel secure.  This security allows children to reach their full potential and is the foundation for future success.

When teachers, mentors, parents and students all “speak the same language of organization” the set of skills being transmitted will have a greater chance of being naturally integrated into the child’s life. Teaching organizational skills to children requires patience and thoughtful methods for creating routines and habits.  Working together teachers, parents, and children can facilitate this process by using common terminology, which is used both at school and the home.  Always put things back where you found them is common advice.  That simple idea creates a system and a habit that allows children to save time and find things easily.  We call this idea Repetitive StorageÔ.  Having items easily available and accessible can reduce frustration in the classroom and at home. Responsibility shifts from the teacher and parent to the student and leads to a self-confident empowered child.  This shift in responsibility is the ultimate goal for teaching habits.   

By teaching systematic organizational skills one can provide children with the tools needed to be self-organized and self-motivated.  These are important building blocks to success in life. 

TOP 4 REASONS TO TEACH CHILDREN ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

Written by:

Margaret S. Keeney Ed.D. and Rebecca Archer RN, BSN.

About the authors: 

Margaret Keeney has a Doctorate in education and over 20 years of teaching experience.  She has taught in both private and public schools, and specialized in working with children who experience difficulty learning.  She is now retired and a full-time artist spending her time in Northern Michigan and Arizona. 

Rebecca is a mom of 2 young boys.  She has worked as an RN traveling around the world and also has had an extensive career as a Clinical Research Consultant.  All of which have made her the organizing “nut “ she is today.

           References 

Goldberg, D. & Zwiebel, J. (2006).  Help your child get organized. (NYU Child Study Center).

            (October 30), p.1-3.

 Goldberg, D. & Zwiebel, J. (2005). The organized student:  teaching children the skills for

success in school and beyond.  New York, Simon and Schuster. 

Schwartz, S. J. & DeLuca, V. (2004). Homework: trials and tribulations. (NYU Child Study  Center). 

             Volume 2, Issue 6 (February). 

Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities (2006).  Tips for developing organizational

skills in children. 

U. S. Department of Education. (2003). How to help: provide guidance – helping your child with

homework. (September), p.1-3. 

Lyness, D. (2005).  Help your child get organized, 1-2-3.  Nemours Foundation. (August), p.1-6. 

Scholastic Inc. (2006). Quick click: 5 ways to help your child stay organized. 

Doe,M. (2006).  10 ways for parents to help teachers.  Parent Resources, National PTA. 

Gurian,M. & Stevens,K. (2005). The minds of boys: saving our sons from falling behind in

school and life. San Francisco, CA. Jossey-Bass.  

Office of Educational Research and Improvement, US Department of Education, (2002).

Helping your child with homework. www.ed.gov, booklet, p1-23. 

Parent Teacher Association of Connecticut, (2006).  10 tips for fueling your child’s brain power.

            www.cpta.org. 

Flannery, M.E., (2005).  Classroom cool.  National Education Association. April, p. 1-3.

Fielding, R. (2006). Learning, lighting and color: Lighting design for schools and universities
              in the 21^st century.  p. 1-7. DesignShare.com.

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