Back To School Organization

As the summer months wind down, parents and children are undoubtedly turning their attention to the school year with a mixture of anticipation and excitement, perhaps even dread. A new school year presents fresh challenges and lays waste to the decidedly less frantic summer routine—for both parents and children. The fact is, the "three R's" have given way to a much more daunting schedule of classes, clubs, practices and assorted extracurricular activities for young students to navigate.

Parents can help their children stay focused and successful by encouraging good organizational habits. The more organized your child's schedule is, the more likely it is that you'll be able to keep your own schedule. Audrey Thomas, a time-management and organizing expert and owner of Organized Audrey, offers these tips to help their children get organized.

• Encourage children to use a school planner to keep assignments in order. Parents should review the planner with the child often, and talk about upcoming assignments and exams. When selecting a student planner, look for ease of use and durability. Sturdy plastic covers, snap-on page finders and flat-fold spiral binding help young users get comfortable with this time-management tool. Built-in paper pockets help organize homework, permission slips and school notices. The best student planners are streamlined, colorful, and designed with children in mind..

• Begin each morning the night before. Set the breakfast table as you clear the dinner dishes. Lay out children's clothing the night before. Multi-child households may need a bathroom schedule so that everyone gets equal time before the mirror.

• Set aside "homework time.” Set aside time each night for homework so that it becomes routine. Be considerate of your child's homework time by not watching television; in fact,
"homework time" can be used by parents as well, to pay bills, write correspondence, etc. Designate a work area for the child, such as a desk in the child's room, or a dining room or kitchen table, where the child can spread the work out with little distraction.

• During the last two weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they'll need to rise when school begins.

• Allow "down time" each night. Just as adults need time to unwind from a hectic day, so do children. Set aside time after homework for children to relax. Encourage productive relaxation such as reading a book for fun. It's also a good time for the entire family to catch up on the day's activities.

• Take an afternoon and assess each child's clothing needs. Empty drawers and closets of outgrown or worn-out clothing, and either store or donate the discards. Working with your child, clean and organize clothing storage before new garments are added.

• Nothing calms school year chaos like a central calendar: a centralized site for all family calendars and schedules. Designate a calendar station in a common area in the house for everyone, such as the kitchen. Lay out a daily planner or calendar and mark significant events coming up, such as doctor's appointments for parents and children. Encourage children to stop by the calendar each morning and evening to update themselves on what might be going on that week. Also, have children write in their own significant events such as practices, school plays and birthday parties. This encourages responsibility and organization, and children see that their responsibilities are as significant as those of their parents.

Summertime is reading time

Reading isn't only fun, it's essential to a child's development. In fact, studies have shown that reading forms the foundation of all learning, and that children who read often (or are frequently read to) do better academically. And while children (and some parents) may think summer means “no more homework, no more books” – reading should be a year-round activity.

It's vital for parents to keep their kids engaged in reading over the summer months to prevent the ‘summer slide. Research has shown that elementary school students who read 4 or 5 books over the summer can prevent reading achievement losses. Plus children who read more books fared better on reading comprehension tests in the fall than peers who read one or no books over the summer. Age or reading ability is immaterial, though research has demonstrated that practice has a positive effect on reading ability, so children who read more do become better readers.

So what are some of the best ways to engage your children in reading? First and foremost be a reading role model yourself – let your kids see you reading (and enjoying it!). Also you need to have reading material all around the house. Keep a wide scope when it comes to reading material – board game instructions, recipes, comic books, etc. – it’s all reading. Anything that gets your child to read for pleasure and their own information will help them build their vocabulary and sharpen critical-reasoning skills.

If your reluctant reader likes to put things together, buy them a model kit and have them read the instructions. If your child enjoys cooking, let them make the shopping list and read the recipe as you cook together. Even practice reading billboards and signs as you drive in the car.

Also, be sure to let your children choose the books they are interested in. If you aren’t sure the books they are choosing offers appropriate content or is for their reading level, ask a children’s librarian at your local library for help. Librarians can provide a wealth of information on books that really engage readers of all levels and many can offer ideas over the phone or via email.

Try It!: On the “All About Reading” section of scholastic.com (http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/read/) parents can find a wealth of information on how to help their kids keep an interest in reading.

City and county libraries and offer a wealth of summertime reading programs and activities.