Kids Keep Losing Stuff? 6 Ways to Develop Your Child's Organization Skills

If your children are unorganized, that's completely normal - a lot of kids are! It may be frustrating at times but the good news is that you can teach them important organization skills at a young age. The days of having to replace all of the items your kids have lost are long over, or at least greatly reduced.

Does your kid keep on losing stuff like keys, toys, remotes, clothes and so on?
Not only do organization skills benefit your little ones but they'll also save you time and money. Not sure how to get started? This guide will go through the different ways you can develop your child's organization skills.

Keep reading to learn more.

1. Kid-Friendly Planners

The first step to organization skills is to let your kids know that keeping track of things is fun. It may seem like your kid doesn't live a busy life but between going to school after-school activities, homework, and family time, it's easy for them to get distracted. To help make their lives easier, and yours too, get them a kid-friendly planner.

Not only are there options on the market that helps kids keep track of their schedules but it will create a habit of organizing their days, especially since it's so fun to use. Many planners include stickers, bold graphics, and great layouts that will keep your kids engaged. This will also teach them that their time is valuable and that organization skills are worth celebrating.

Before you know it, they'll know exactly how to organize their own schedule and that will come in handy as their education becomes more challenging.

2. Establish Daily Routines

The thought of a routine might scare a lot of parents since they worry that too much structure will dull their children's creativity and spontaneity. This is only true if it's imposed without sensitivity. Of course, breaking from a daily routine is justified for special events or little chores that need to be done at a certain time.

However, the benefits of establishing a daily routine for your child outweigh the potential negatives. Stick to a regular dinnertime and bedtime, this will help your child fall into a pattern once they get home from school. Also, have a routine for any schoolwork and projects they need to get done.

This works great with their planner, they can schedule their activities and get accustomed to their daily routine. This also means they'll get more sleep, feeling well-rested, and prepared for the following day.

3. Create Checklists and To-Do Lists

If there is one thing kids love, it's simple visual guides. One of the ways to teach kids to be more organized is by introducing checklists and to-do lists into their life. You might think that this is unnecessary if they have a planner but it's good to have both.

The checklist can be something to list assignments and household chores, this is different from the scheduling skills that your child is acquiring using a planner. These types of lists are easy to understand, direct and they'll give your child a sense of accomplishment when they cross off a completed task!

4. Set Up a Study Space

Having a comfortable and efficient space to study is a great way to keep your kids interested in dedicated time for school work. This goes hand in hand with other ways to develop their skills. They'll be able to use their planner to schedule time for homework and studying, in a quiet and cozy place that feels personalized just for them.

The ideal space doesn't necessarily have to be a bedroom, as long as it's free from distractions. If your child is particularly young, you can create a study space that is near you. This is a win-win for both you and your little ones since you'll be able to monitor their process and encourage their study habits.

5. Conduct a Weekly Backpack Check

With so many papers, books, and assignments to keep track of, it's no wonder that your child is often losing their things! If you're tired of seeing your child's backpack crammed with an unnecessary amount of items, include a weekly backpack check into the schedule. You and your child can sit down once a week and go through all of the contents, teaching them the importance of making time to keep personal belongings organized and tidy.

This will also help prevent a jammed backpack from happening so frequently. Once your kid knows that a weekly check is coming up, they'll be more careful when they place things in their bag. It can also help inform you of any school supplies they might need to really ensure that organization is made simple.

6. Lead By Example

Kids learn by imitating you, you're their role model! This can be a wonderful thing if you possess some particularly admirable qualities but it can also be less ideal if you're someone who tends to lose a lot of things. If your organization skills are lacking, you might be the reason that your child is not so organized either.

Luckily, this means you get to learn how to be more organized as well. This will benefit you greatly and you'll be leading by example. Start using planners, tidying up around the house, schedule things accordingly and before you know it, your little one will be eager to follow in your steps.

Develop Your Child's Organization Skills

It's normal for your child to stumble as they get older. The problem is that the stumbling might be a little more concerning than average. If your child is often losing their things and not spending their time wisely, it's time to work on their organization skills.

There are a variety of ways to help teach your kids the importance of keeping track of their time and belongings. You can buy them a planner so they can schedule their daily activities, you can set up the ideal study space, and even lead by example by improving your own skills!

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