- Organize project bins for crafting, homework, and gym day. This way everything is together when it's time to tackle a new project. Learn How to Organize Project Bins.
- Practice zipping, buttoning pants, shoe tying and re-inserting hair accessories with your child. Ideally, kids should be able to handle these items independently. Particularly in the beginning of the year, keep things simple. Send Tyler in his Velcro shoes and have him practice on the cool new ones during TV commercials until he can do them on his own. There's nothing worse than having to bend down and tie 20 pairs of shoes when you are trying to exit the building for a surprise fire drill. Most importantly, your child will feel better if he/she can do these things without asking an adult.
- Plan healthy snacks for the week with your child. Teachers see a lot of food waste and this could be prevented if parents offered variety and consider what their child actually is willing to eat, not just what parents would like their child to have for a snack. Be sure to pack napkins and any utensils they would need to use (i.e. spoon for yogurt)
- Keep a non-perishable snack in your child's backpack for emergencies: fruit leather, crackers, and sunflower seeds are good options at snack time.
- Store handouts from curriculum night in a sacred place. Before firing off an email to the teacher, re-read the school and classroom publications in case your question was already answered.
- Buy stationery to use for correspondence with your child's teacher. Use the teacher's title at first unless and until she or he specifically says to use first names. If your last name is different from your child's, in the beginning of the year, put "Chandler Bing's mom" (or similar) under your signature. Your child can use this stationary as well.
- Each child should have a calendar in their bedroom in addition to the general family one. Mark the weather for the week and any special events with your child so they know what to expect.
- Days of the week outfit organizers are good for kids to help them see their clothes for the week. An extra pair of sneakers left at school for PE days can be handy, especially during boot season. You DIY this yourself with a hanging sweater organizer like the Canvas 6-Shelf Sweater & Accessory Organizer and then label it with each day.
Get Organized for School
Tips, tricks and guides so the whole family can be organized for school.
