As a mother of 3, I know how hard it can be to keep kids – and their stuff – organized. I have two pieces of advice: make children part of the solution, and get a few organization items in place to help you keep order. Here are my tips for getting kids organized:
Kids Like Structure I began teaching the concept of organization to my children when they were very small. I find they now love the structure, repetition and order that we have created in our home. Teaching your kids to put things away in “their place” will not only be a valuable lesson, but will save you time and energy when it comes to keeping things tidy.
Create Pint-Size Solutions for Your Little Ones I hang hooks low enough for my kids to hang up their own coat. This creates an obvious home for the coat, as well as a feeling of “I can do it myself.” These hooks are also great to use in a playroom to hold all their favorites, like a feather boa or fireman’s hat.
A closet organizer that holds clothing for each day of the week is one of the best things I have ever purchased to get my kids organized. When you put laundry away, place an outfit in each daily slot of the organizer. Your child will know exactly what they’re wearing that day, and it prevents morning fights about what to wear.
I’ve also placed open storage for toys at eye level. This creates easy access for kids to play with their things and put them away. The bins are great because they have handles and are each a different color, allowing you to color coordinate items for quick clean up. At my house, race cars go in a red bin and blocks go in a blue bin.
Lead by Example My kids now remind me when I don’t put something away. Organization is contagious! If you say that returning things to their home is important, then you must do the same. Children learn by watching their parents, and you will be giving them an incredible gift by teaching them to be organized!
