The dawn of every new school year offers a chance to get organized once and for all.
And the best way to start, say local organizing experts, is with a clean slate.
“The first step is always decluttering,” said Melissa Mogavero, director of client experience at 123 Organize, a moving and organizing company. “You can’t organize what you don’t need, so start fresh.”
Emptying backpacks, clearing desks, going through old clothes and toys, and decluttering the home will “give kids a sense of control and make it easier to set up new routines,” said Dani Dollinger, founder of Level Up Organizers, a company that helps homeowners with everything from organizing kitchens to office spaces.
Going through shelves, drawers, and bins allows families to decide what to keep and what needs to be ordered for school.
The next step is creating spaces in the home that organize all aspects of life, leading to a better daily routine. Mogavero explained that from the moment kids wake up to their bedtime, organization can create a smoother day and eliminate stress. Both Mogavero and Dollinger said organizing for back-to-school should focus on three spaces: the mudroom or entry hall, homework space, and the bedroom.
In the entry or mudroom
Have a bin where children can put their shoes and backpack away as they enter the home. Hang hooks or cubbies at kid height so they can independently put their things away when they enter, said Mogavero.
Teach kids to empty their backpacks first thing so you can see any important papers — especially those intended for parents.
Create a file folder for each child: Have your child put things in their folder –and then you should remember to check it daily. Dollinger said this is “crucial” for organization and helps reduce chaos.
Make space for homework
Kids need a clean, calm space for homework, and all organizers recommend it be outside of their bedroom to avoid distraction. Ideally, the space should include drawers or a filing system. Here’s how to make it work:
Create color-coded folders: One folder for each subject, Mogavero said. That way your child can place returned homework or tests in the folder and won’t be carrying everything back and forth to school in an ever-growing, bulky backpack.
Corral and label items: Christine Cox Brady of Creative Organizing by Christine suggests grouping pencils and pens in a small container, paper clips in another, and glue and crayons in another. This allows materials to be found easily and gives your student independence to access what he or she needs.
Encourage your child to personalize their homework space with a favorite notebook, pencil case, or a photo and have them help decorate folders or bins “so they feel ownership of the space,” Mogavero said. Brady agrees, explaining that kids “love fun labels” which often motivate them to be excited about school.
Periodically help your child clean up the space. It’s bound to get messy, and organization requires maintenance, Mogavero said.
In the bedroom
Label shelves and drawers in the child’s closet to make it clear what goes where, Brady said.
Divide and Conquer: Brady said drawer and shelf dividers help kids keep things neat and tidy. Socks in one section, underwear in another, T-shirts in another.
Add Bins and Label them; that makes it easy to put away exercise equipment, shoes, or other belongings. Even better: let your child make the labels, which may encourage them to put things away.
Clean Out Before School Starts—and get your kids involved: Kids often get excited about new clothes. Before you go out shopping, Dollinger encourages families to donate old clothes to a local organization such as the Salvation Army or Big Brothers/Big Sisters. This makes your child feel they are giving back, and that “they’re not just throwing their stuff in the garbage, but helping somebody else less fortunate than them,” she said.
Make a Shopping List: Before you go back-to-school shopping, make a list of what your child needs so that you aren’t buying duplicates of things you already have—and have your child assist with the process, Dollinger said.
Another crucial part of organization is ensuring that the systems can be maintained all year.
Mogavero recommends periodically purging outdated supplies so clutter doesn’t accumulate. At the start of each month, do a “mini reset” to maintain the organization. Also, be ready to change it all up. Some kids may struggle with executive function, and need fewer supplies; others may prefer variety. Tune in to your own kids’ needs so you can make adjustments. Personalization is important, said Brady, adding “Creating systems that help families reduce stress and function” allows them to live better in their everyday lives.
