Good organizational skills are essential for success in school and in life, and teaching children to be organized at a young age is the best time to start. Organization may not come easy to you even as an adult, but by putting together routines and systems you can still help your child stay on top of things.

Here is a list of strategies compiled by the Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities to get you and your child organized and on the path for success.

    •    Use checklists
Daily or weekly to-do lists work great and give children a sense of accomplishment when they get to cross completed items off the list. Jot down when assignments are due, chores that need to be completed, reminders and other important events.

    •    Organize homework assignments
It is helpful to clearly number the problems they are working on, especially for math assignments. Encourage your child to start with the simpler of the problems and then conquer the more challenging ones once they have warmed up.

    •    Designate a study space
Make sure your child has a quiet, clutter free space to do their homework and studying. It should be the same place every night and should have all necessary supplies close by.

    •    Set a designated study time
This time should be set aside every day for homework and studying and should be the same time every day. You should let your child unwind a little after school, so pick a time between then and dinner or after dinner. They may not have homework every night, but you should still have them use that time to read for pleasure, study or do some other kind of mental activity.

    •    Keep organized notebooks
Let your child pick out a binder, notebook or folders to help keep their assignments organized. Dividers are a good way to separate class papers and you should buy a hole-puncher so that everything can be kept in place. Also, most teachers hand out a syllabus at the beginning of a class, so make sure that gets included in the binder as well.

    •    Conduct a weekly cleanup
Your child does not need to keep every assignment, worksheet or handout from class, so on a weekly basis have them go through their binder and decide what is important to keep and what can be trashed (or preferably, recycled). Old tests and quizzes should be saved in a file at home.

    •    Create a household schedule
Remember: schedules are great. Try to keep your child on a schedule as much as possible, including a regular dinner time and regular bedtime.

    •    Keep a master calendar
Help your child keep track of family activities, big tests, sporting events, days off from school and play dates by using a big, wall-sized calendar. This will also benefit the rest of the family and let them know what everyone is up to.

    •    Prepare for the day ahead
To make your mornings a little less stressful, have your child pack their backpack the night before and if possible, lay out the outfit they will wear the next day.

    •    Provide support while your child is learning to become organized
Lead by example and keep yourself organized as well. Offer reminders for upcoming events and check-in with your child regarding their progress on an assignment or studying for a test.

Additional Resources
    •    Keeping Your Kids Organized -- At All Ages
    •    Help Your Child Get Organized
    •    Time Management & Homework Tips for Kids
    •    What Parents Can Do to Help Their Children Get Organized
    •    5 Ways to Help Your Child Stay Organized
    •    How to Get Your Kids Organized for Back to School
    •    Getting Kids Organized:  Tips that Work!
    •    12 Ways to Develop Your Child’s Organizational Skills