With a toddler, who recently started nursery school two days a week, twin boys in elementary school and the oldest in college, sometimes I feel like I’m bouncing between two different worlds, and well, basically I am. Between required school forms, homework, projects and after-school activities, there is always a lot going on. Organization is key to helping our household run. The following are tips on how I try to balance all things school with multiple children in the house.
Create a dedicated work space for each student (or by grade level).
No matter the size of a home, a space that is set aside for homework can be designed for each child or by grade level (if you have twins or more than one in the same grade). In small spaces, a simple nook area can be created with just the essentials (e.g., a small desk or table). Having built-in or portable drawers that fit underneath a table or desk is helpful for easy access to school supplies and folders. A corkboard or whiteboard can be mounted on the wall over the desk or table so important documents (class schedules or project due dates) can be seen by all. For larger areas, a fully multipurpose, office-type environment equipped with computers, printers and tech devices (tablets) is helpful. Larger desks, such as the “tech desks” that have two seating areas as part of one desk, can help to seat more than one student in individual sections located on the desk.
Color-coordinate each student’s information.
Trying to keep up with important information, paperwork and homework while having students in the same school but different grades, or having students who are each in different schools, can be overwhelming. A tip is to color-coordinate the school information for each student. For example, my identical twins will be entering kindergarten this upcoming school year, and they are in different classes that are located next door to each other. To help ease any possible confusion, each twin will have his schoolwork located in bins or folders with a color assigned to each of them. My high schooler will have a color-assigned large bin with drawers to help reinforce organizational skills, which are important in the years ahead to help prepare for college.
Minimize distractions.
While your kids concentrate on homework, technology should be limited to only school-related work. Televisions shows, app games, loud music and social media use (texting or chatting with friends online) can cause distraction during study time. Parents should try to monitor students while they are doing schoolwork online to ensure that noneducational sites are not being used. Try turning off television, tablets and online music during homework time.
Keep a family calendar.
To help maintain everyone’s schedules, make a daily calendar with everyday events and obligations, such as time to get up, taking the kids to school, pickup and drop-off at after school events and meal time, especially if the family is not eating together because of after-school activities. Post the family calendar (either a daily or weekly view) in a high-traffic area in the home. For wall calendars, try the following:
Amy Knapp Big Wall Grid Calendar
Monthly Magnetic Dry Erase Calendar
If you have a tech-family, digital or electronic calendars can be useful to sync your schedules together. Try Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Cozi, Famjama, Family Wall or Hub family calendar app.
For creating a dedicated work space and homework station, the following are products to create an organized space:
Smead Cascading Wall Organizer, 6 Pockets, Letter Size
White Board Sticker, Peel and Stick Dry Erase Message Board Decal
Safemore Smart 6-Outlet with 4-USB Surge Protection
Modern L-Shaped Corner Computer Desk
DIY Vinyl Chalkboard Removable Blackboard Wall Sticker
Go-Go-Station Desktop Organizer
Corner Computer Desk Small Wood Laptop Table Top with Drawer
OttLite 15548BB8 15-watt Cambridge Table Lamp
DecoBros Desk Supplies Organizer Caddy
Pendaflex Two-Tone Color File Folders, Letter Size, 13 Cut, Assorted Colors, 100
AmazonBasics Expanding File, Letter Size
Mead Academic Desk Pad Calendar, July 2017 – June 2018, 17-34″ x 10-78″
Dixon Ticonderoga Wood-Cased #2 HB Pencils, Box of 96
Paper Mate SharpWriter Mechanical Pencils, 0.7mm, HB #2, Yellow, 12 Count
Crayola Colored Pencils 50 Count
Back to School Pens, Pencils, Paper Supply Bundle Box Wide Ruled
Redi-Tag Divider Sticky Notes 60 Ruled Notes, 4 x 6 Inches
Cardinal Expanding Pocket Dividers
Weekly Academic Organizer Planners for High School, College & University
Rembrandt Magnetic Monthly Fridge Calendar
Paper Mate Pink Pearl Erasers, Large, 3 Count
Even with these organization tips, the chaos may endure, but hopefully in a less stressful way. An organized routine will help keep the entire household, from kindergarteners to college, on the same page, keeping the craziness to a minimum.
See more back-to-school content like back-to-school organization tips and hacks, places to find homework help, tips for middle school students to try this year, and more by clicking: HERE
Wishing Everyone a Happy and Blessed New School Year!
[…] Make sure to create a little work station for your child. This is a great way to have an area where they can sit comfortably and work on their school work. Have pencils, crayons, markers, paper, and other school supplies all handy. Make sure it is a relaxing spot with limited activity so they can work peacefully. This can even be at your kitchen table, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Some people designate a room in their home and make it feel like a classroom, but know you don’t have to do that! If you don’t have the space, that is totally fine. […]