Life Skill Lesson: Teaching Kids How to Be Organized

Make it easy for kids to stay organized, it is a skill that will help them succeed in school, and hopefully beyond. This tidy pop-up homework station is a smart way to develop these skills. Skip a traditional desk and opt for a folding TV tray — having kids set it up and put it away each afternoon is part of the lesson! Plus, it's a great solution if you're short on space.

When it comes to desk seating, you have a LOT of choices, but a well-made, adjustable wobble stool is worth the spend. Sure, it’s easy to store and better for their back, but it’s so much more than that. The convex bottom allows the chair to spin and rock as they work, so super-fidgety kids can stay focused.

Providing a digital timer helps kids track how many minutes they're spending on their homework, reading assignments AND screen time. Because we all know when you’re a grown-up, life’s all about time management.

Whether your home sounds like Grand Central Station at rush hour or you have a sound-sensitive child, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can be a smart investment. These specially designed headphones will help them to focus on assignments or just decompress after a busy day.

Checklists and calendars are excellent for reminding kids of their daily and weekly responsibilities. Posting these nearby helps them to keep tasks prioritized and assignments organized. Encourage older kids to make their own daily to-do lists.

Help them track incoming and outgoing assignments with binders, folders and notebooks color-coded by subject. Nightly homework or important papers should automatically go into a designated folder.

An over-the-door shoe organizer is a fantastic space-saver and ideal for kids because they can see everything at once.

Once you get kids organized, keeping them that way is the real challenge. Label baskets and bins with photos (or in our case, pockets on a shoe organizer) so when it’s time to put things away, they’ll know where each item belongs.

Cute sticky notes will ensure library books are rounded up and returned on time. Be sure to tuck a pad and pen in the pocket, so it's easy for you or them (eventually) to jot down due dates. Keep it all eye-level, where reminders are front and center when they sit down to work.