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Instilling Good Habits in Children

2/15/2021

14 Comments

 
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As an organizer, I've been told many times and in a variety of ways, "I just don't have the organizing gene." It is true that organization comes naturally to some people, and for others it is more of a struggle. That said, organization is a skill, or set of skills, and as such, it can be learned...and taught.

If you are raising children, organization skills are some of the best skills you can instill in them. Teaching organization skills to children will benefit them in a variety of ways. Children with organization skills are able to:
  • Work more effectively and complete tasks and assignments with greater ease
  • Think creatively
  • Work independently
  • Grasp the basics of time management
  • Plan ahead
  • Approach tasks in an orderly fashion
  • Experience less stress and frustration
  • Perform better academically​

Instill Good Habits

Teaching organization skills to children begins with instilling good habits. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The more approaches that are utilized, the more likely children are to understand, master, and adopt the skills you're trying to teach. Try implementing the following:
  • Hold a weekly family meeting: Teach time management and planning by holding a weekly family meeting to go over the calendar and discuss any preparations that need to be made for upcoming activities. 
  • Teach your child to use a planner: Get your child a homework planner (many schools provide them). Help your child record upcoming tests, projects, papers, and assignments and plan out a schedule for completing things in stages to avoid cramming at the last minute.
  • Utilize Systems: Set up systems for controlling clutter and maintaining order. 
  • Establish Priorities: Help children learn to prioritize by expecting them to complete needed or required tasks before playing or relaxing. 
  • Establish and Enforce Expectations: A variety of simple rules or expectations can be helpful for reinforcing basic principles of organization such as:
    • ​If you get it out, put it away.
    • If you take it off, hang it up (or put it away).
    • ​If you make a mess, clean it up.
    • Before you start a new activity, clean up the one you just finished.
  • Establish Routines: Routines for morning, after school, and evening help children learn to manage their time and prioritize. They foster a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. 

​These are just a few examples of things you can do to help instill good habits in your children, and the best part is that all of these skills benefit you as well! 
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Set Them Up for Success

There are a number of things that parents and caregivers can do to help children learn organization skills with greater ease. Consider the following:
  • ​Make stuff accessible - When setting up storage for children, keep their physical limitations in mind. 
    • ​Put things that children use regularly at kid height.
    • Make sure containers are lightweight and easy to open. 
  • Eliminate obstacles - Check the environment for anything that might make accomplishing a desired task more difficult or complicated and find ways to alleviate any impediments. 
    • Where possible and logical, choose containers without lids. Lids represent and added step in the process of getting things out and putting things away. As such, they are a deterant (albeit minor). 
    • If you want your kids to learn to make their beds (and have it look semi-presentable), remove the top sheet, at least when they are young. Top sheets complicate the process considerably. 
  • Label Things - Labels are a great way to help children learn and remember where things belong. 
    • Keep lables simple and straight forward.
    • Include the word and a picture for young children, thus helping them practice reading skills as well as organization skills.
  • Create Checklists - Use checklists to break big tasks (like cleaning the bathroom) into smaller tasks (scour sink, scrub tub, clean toilet, etc.). 
    • Download free printable cleaning checklists here.
  • Creat Charts - There is tremendous satisfaction in crossing things off a chart or list. Doing so fosters a sense of accomplishment. Download free customizable kids' work charts here. Other benefits of charts are thus:
    • They allow children to visualize their progress
    • They help children remember what they need to do

Provide Motivation

Motivation is both a catalyst and an inducement. It is also a self-sustaining phenomenon. Motivation prompts us to act. When we act, we experience success, and success fuels our motivation to continue to act. Motivation can be external (think catalyst/inducement) or internal (desire for success). As a parent or caregiver, there are numerous things you can do to provide motivation to encourage children to do the things that will instill good habits.
  • Provide Incentives - Allow children to earn privileges or rewards. Incentives don't have to be flashy, elaborate or expensive. Indeed, they need not cost anything at all. Examples include:
    • Sincere praise and aknowlegement - very important for self-esteem
    • One-on-one time with a parent
    • Staying up 15 minutes past bedtime
    • Enjoying a fun family outing 
  • Make a Game of It - Learning new skills can be fun! Work can be fun! Helping children to understand these truths is a reward in itself. Look for ways to replace the potential drudgery and frustration of developing new habits with enjoyment. For ideas, check out this previous post. 
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Be an Example

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to instill good habits in children is to set an example of the behaviors you want them to adopt. In the case of developing organization skills, you can do this by creating and maintaining an organized space. It all starts with having a place for things, knowing where things are, and putting things away consistently. It's also important to practice what you preach, so to speak. Follow the advice you give and the guideline you establish. Let them see the benefits of adopting these behaviors by observing you. 
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14 Comments
Seana Turner link
2/15/2021 10:11:28 am

Some children embrace organizing and order setting with ease, while others really fight it. I think it speaks to their inherent personality, and their ability to do things that they don't want to do. Still, we all need to learn and embrace these techniques if we want to live in an orderly space. I often tell clients, after I've set up a child's space, "Ok, now is the time to require them to reset the space. Before, they couldn't do it because the space wasn't organized, but now is the moment! be willing to spend the next few days making sure it is done properly. Once they get the hang of it, they will be able to do it more autonomously."

Reply
Sheri Steed link
2/15/2021 10:24:27 am

Exactly. So often we tell kids to “clean their room”, but the only way to ensure they actually know what that means is to show them what an orderly space looks like. And you are so right that it takes greater effort at the beginning until they embrace it.

Reply
Sabrina Quairoli link
2/15/2021 10:53:32 am

Great tips! I love that you mentioned putting things at kid height. It is so important to help the kids feel independent. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Reply
Sheri Steed link
2/15/2021 11:45:16 am

Thanks, Sabrina! I totally agree. It isn't just about making it easier for them to access things; it's about building that sense of confidence and independence. So important!

Reply
Julie Bestry link
2/15/2021 01:50:02 pm

I love that you made the point about setting a good example, Children emulate behavior they see all the time because it seems natural to them. So, we need to BE organized as well as teaching them HOW to be organized. Making it make sense while also making it fun is probably the best way to instill kids with all sorts of healthy habits, from eating and activity, to organizing, to interacting with others. (And how did kids manage to survive hundreds of years of formal education without planners? I love that schools now provide them!)

Reply
Sheri Steed link
2/15/2021 02:18:13 pm

Thanks, Julie! I agree that the planners are a great thing. I'm not so naive as to think that a proper example and good instruction are enough to make every child grow up to be an organized person. Some people choose to be disorganized and even take pride in it at times. I do think, however, that children are exceedingly more likely to develop good habits if they have good examples and good instruction.

Reply
Sarah link
2/15/2021 08:39:01 pm

THANK YOU for this! As a fellow lover of organization, I am trying to instill the same qualities in my three children. After reading your post, I realize there is so much more I could be doing to help and encourage them along the way. You're right that it is such an important quality for kids to have. One that will serve them in a number of ways for a lifetime. Great post!

Reply
Sheri Steed link
2/16/2021 12:09:27 pm

Thank you, Sarah! I’m so happy that you found this post helpful!

Reply
Ronni Eisenberg link
2/16/2021 09:25:51 am

Teaching organization to young children requires you to understand how a kid thinks. It’s so different than how an adult processes information and tasks.
There are many great ideas here. I especially liked 2 of them. Eliminating obstacles. It sounds obvious but it’s often not the first thing thought of and it’s critical for teaching these skills. The other is teaching by example. Kids are like sponges and they do adapt and learn from what they see.
This is an excellent post!

Reply
Sheri Steed link
2/16/2021 12:12:25 pm

Thanks, Ronnie! I love your point about the way kids think. It’s an important consideration for sure.

Reply
Linda Samuels link
2/16/2021 09:39:26 am

The best part about organizing is that while it comes naturally for some, it IS a teachable skill. And that's what you focused on here. I learned this early on with our daughters. One was "born organized." The other one I thought was, but discovered something interesting. Because I was so organized, I compensated for her lack or organization, but didn't realize I was doing it. I just assumed she was organized. However, when she entered kindergarten, she struggled to keep things together. Once I realized that I had been doing rather than teaching, I stopped. Instead we worked on creating systems she could maintain. By the time she entered second grade, her teachers from that point on commented on how organized she was.

Reply
Sheri Steed link
2/16/2021 12:15:41 pm

Thanks for sharing your story. It makes an excellent point. It’s important to teach kids how and why and not just do for them, but it can be challenging to distinguish between the two.

Reply
Melanie Summers link
2/16/2021 05:15:46 pm

The jury is still deciding on whether or not the organizing gene will be passed down to my girls. Both of them are so young, but my almost 3 year old enjoys helping with small tasks around the house. I'm all to happy to encourage her!

Reply
Sheri Steed link
2/16/2021 05:48:14 pm

I’m sure your example and knowledge will help immensely!

Reply



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  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Declutter Papers
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog