From hectic mornings with papers and clothes flying off in every direction to last-minute projects and after-school activities, back-to-school time is certainly an intense period of transition for most parents and kids. A school-friendly nest can really help you calm down and get a little bit more organized this fall. Let’s make sure that your home runs smoothly and you won’t have to deal with chaos this school year:
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Create the perfect study space
A comfortable, well-lit and quiet study space is essential for every student. Make sure that your little ones have all their necessary supplies easily accessible; paper, pencils and colored pencils, an eraser, a ruler, some markers and a pair of scissors are some of the items that should always be on their desks. But, beyond the essentials, the homework area must be relatively uncluttered. Make sure that there are enough storage options so that everything can have its own place.
*extra tip: Instead of simple bins and plain baskets, how about creating DIY storage boxes that your kids will certainly love?
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Make a to-do wall
You’ll need a calendar to track after-school activities; well, most experts agree that a week-at-a-glance planner is the best way to help children understand the concept of time management. In the same way, a to-do wall poster can remind you of the daily chores and after-school activities. Kids these days are really busy and it can be difficult to keep track of where everyone is supposed to go!
*extra tip: You can also keep a message board by the door not only for important reminders, but also for cute notes to send your kids out the door with a smile every morning!
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Deal with the morning madness
We’ve all experienced the usual frantic morning madness of “Where’s my T-shirt/boots/essay?” yells. And, trust us, you can really make the a.m. hours less hectic and get your little students out of the door on time if you organize your children’s stuff in the right way. Make sure that all the casual clothes, shoes and backpacks have their own place. Keep most commonly items, like your children’s favourite shoes, in plain sight; it will be easier for your younger ones to grab them. Color-coded boxes or containers with labels may also be a great way to help children keep things straightened out. Use under-the-bed storage for off-season clothes and shoes or toys that aren’t regularly used; stuffed drawers and crammed closets aren’t good options!
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Get ready for the after-school time
If you regularly have a caregiver, babysitter or nanny, look after your children, think of organization ideas that will help him or her. For example, where do coats and backpacks land when your children come home? Where are the lunchboxes put? Well, you can always install some fancy hooks so your children can hang up their own jackets and bags when they return from school. Likewise, you can choose a low shelf to store lunchboxes. And, last but not least, teach your little students to mind their own messes. We know, we’ve been there before, “if you take it, put it back” and “if you throw it down, pick it up” will be your favourite phrases for a little while…
*extra tip: Get down to your younger child’s eye level to help your kids get organized. The view from their vantage point may surprise you! Hooks that are out of reach and shelves which are too high won’t help at all. You may also want to invest in more child-sized hangers or floor-lever open containers.
In Nannuka, you can find babysitters, nannies and tutors that will help your family get back to the school period smoothly and make sure your children follow the routine you have set throughout the year.