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In December, we gave a brief introduction to Executive Functioning. Two important Executive Functions that many children (and even adults) struggle with are: - Planning/Organization - The ability to manage current and future- oriented task demands.
- Organization of Materials - The ability to impose order on work, play, and storage spaces.
Included under the umbrella of organization is prioritization. Organization, planning, and prioritizing are important life skills we use in our daily professional and personal lives because they help us accomplish what needs to get done. Being organized also lowers stress levels and allows us to maintain a healthy life/work balance. This week we are providing tips on how you can support your child in strengthening their organization muscles. |
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Why is organization important? As children grow, they inevitably earn more responsibilities. More responsibilities require stronger organization. In terms of school, organization is especially important when it comes to the following: Homework: students must keep track of homework tasks, directions, due dates, and be able to turn in homework Studying: students need to be able to keep class materials, notes, and homework organized in order to study for quizzes and tests Projects: students keep track of due dates and multiple aspects of projects Writing: students write organized essays that effectively communicate their ideas
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Why is prioritization important? People who know where to focus their energy tend to lead lives with less undue stress. They are able to focus their efforts to complete complex tasks. Prioritization is important while: Juggling long and short term tasks from day to day to week to week, etc Selecting important information for note taking, project completion, writing, and studying Managing school, extracurricular activities, homework, family, and friends
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How can I help my child organize time? Post a family calendar to keep track of important dates, events, and deadlines (bonus points if it’s color coded!). Make sure everyone’s schedules are synced on this calendar. Conduct family meetings once a week to review the upcoming commitments and coordinate schedules. Set up routines to check the calendar every evening after dinner to remind yourselves of the upcoming day. Utilize “weekly worksheets” to break down weekly and daily tasks. This is a great place to write daily and weekly chores and basic expectations as well as special events. Estimate the time each activity will require to support time management. Then, check off tasks after completion.
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How can I help my child organize materials? Have a designated place for everything. Utilize organizational drawers and storage baskets/bins for art supplies, writing utensils, and other materials. Make sure everything is clearly labeled for easy access. Set aside specific times to clean out homework folders and organize backpacks each week. Make it fun by having it be a time when you and your child can connect one-on-one. Clearly label folders and notebooks for school and color code as much as possible. Have a filing system in place for documents, bills, keepsakes, etc. Be transparent with your children and lead by example.
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How can I help my child prioritize? Organize homework by difficulty, time, or due dates and complete accordingly. When studying for a test or quiz, organize the materials by topic or difficulty and spend more time each day with the difficult topics. When completing projects, break it down into small steps and assign due dates to ensure each step is completed appropriately. When doing homework, teach your child to gather all the necessary materials before starting. When juggling many items on the to-do list, organize by importance.
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