Get Get Organized!Organized!

Get Get Organized!Organized!

Laura Kennerson, MALaura Kennerson, MAMFT Intern IMF #49829MFT Intern IMF #49829

310-530-7750 ext. 6310-530-7750 ext. 6Supervised by Cathy Chambliss MFT MFC 39875Supervised by Cathy Chambliss MFT MFC 39875

Workshop Goals….• Identify areas needing organizational growth• Target areas to help your child organize using

his or her own style• Understand the systems that the

school/teacher uses to assign homework• Prepare your child for organizational success • Help your child to manage and balance the

workload

Let’s face it… Let’s face it… Let’s face it… Let’s face it…

Middle school children are Middle school children are not Big communicators…. not Big communicators….

In every aspect of life:

NO COMMUNICATION = PROBLEMS

First we need to be able to recognize the

problem

Signs of Poor Organization

• Fails to bring home homework assignments

• Does not know the exact homework assignment

• Fails to return completed homework

Signs of Poor Organization Continued…

•Does not know when the teacher gives homework (e.g., days of the week)•Does not know how the teacher typically informs of homework assignments•Fails to bring home books or needed materials

Signs of Poor Organization Continued…

•Does not know when assignments are due•Does not have papers and study guides to study for the test•Does not know when tests are•Does not have a regular study space

Signs of Poor Organization Continued…

• Does not have needed supplies for homework

• Waits until the last minute to start homework /studying

• Runs out of time when studying for tests

It’s never to late to It’s never to late to start being organized!start being organized!

It’s never to late to It’s never to late to start being organized!start being organized!

Where to start?• Observe your child• What system are they using?• How does your child work through a task?• Listen for comments from teachers or

caregivers • What comments are made?• What comments are absent?

• Note your child’s personal belongings.• How are they stored?• What is lost? And How often?

Recognizing the Recognizing the problem is the easy problem is the easy

part!part!

Recognizing the Recognizing the problem is the easy problem is the easy

part!part!

Barriers to Successful Organization

• Not having the correct supplies• Not having personal space and

schedule for homework/activities• Lack of knowledge or

understanding of organizational skills.

Be Aware that what Be Aware that what works for you may not works for you may not work for your child…work for your child…

Be Aware that what Be Aware that what works for you may not works for you may not work for your child…work for your child…

Involve your child in the process

• The child/student needs to be involved in their own organizational process in order for it to work for them.

• Stick with one method.

Organizational Organizational MethodsMethods

Organizational Organizational MethodsMethods

Color Coding

• It is sometimes helpful to Color code.

• One color per subject and then buy

notebooks, folders, etc. in thatspecific color…

Agendas• The school sells agendas these are

an organizational MUST!• This doesn’t have to be the school

agenda… it can be a notebook, or a calendar with room to write down assignments, tests, quizzes, etc.

Agendas• Most teachers are ok with signing

an agenda – if STUDENT initiated.

• Use a teacher signature to help form a habit.

• Consistency from you and your child – It takes 30 days to form a habit and

90 days to break one!

Map out a daily / weekly schedule

• A dry erase board attached to your door

• Make a large paper schedule or a week at a glance calendar

• Before school reminder • After school schedule builder

At the beginning of each week

• list out ALL the activities for the coming week.

I.e. if your child has a social studies test on Weds. And needs two days to study for it, he can plan on bringing his social studies book home Mon. and Tues. Nights.

Internet Postings and Schoolnotes.com

• MANY teachers are using schoolnotes as a place to post homework and tests

• Websites and Blogs• You can check this at anytime….

Whether your child tells you about it or not!

Zangle.com

• Soon Calle will allow you to access your child’s grades via the computer/internet at anytime!

Filing Papers• There are a few ways that can be

used for this…. • A single binder/folder for each class

split with two sides (to do / and completed work)

• A single binder with dividers/folders inside clearly labeled for each class

Filing Papers Continued…

• Remember the importance of including your child/student in this process!

• suggest ideas and ask what would work best

• ask what system they are using and help them to make it work!

Post its• reminders of which books to bring

home, what problems they need help with, etc..

• Mark pages to read or questions they have.

Lists• Make a to do list in an agenda or

on a sticky note• Crossing them off as they are

completed

Before your child comes home each day

• They should look at their agenda –– Bringing home any folders, books,

workbooks, or materials they may need!

• Look for any post it reminders they left for themselves or check their to do lists.

I forgot my homework, lunch, paper, pencil….

• Parental feeling of obligation • Enabling• Create a system for a lack of

future incidence.

Creating Personal Space at Home

• This could be a place at the table in the kitchen or a place in their own bedroom… it isn’t necessarily where that is important.

• Quiet, • Supplies accessible• Lack of distraction

Weekends

• Find lag time in family outings, activities, and events.

• Long term projects• Clean out the backpack/binder on

weekends • Catch up on any late or missing• Reading

Nightly Check ins• It is often a VERY helpful task if

the parent does a nightly check in.– Ask if there are any papers to sign– Look over the homework – Look over the agenda

Stay Involved• Read the Marquee each morning• PTSA newsletter emails• Watch for flyers • Email or call teachers with

questions • Know the dates of progress reports

and report cards, and be sure to ask for them!

Quiz your child whenever possible

• Utilize trips to school, practice, or wait time at dr. appointments.

If homework is taking too long…

• Make an appointment with the teacher

Communicate Early• Communicate with the teacher

early on!• Don’t wait for a problem or a bad

report card.• Teachers are eager to help the

students – that is why they teach!

Shape up your child’s skills over time

• Start where your child is at and set small incremental goals

• Do not expect perfection right away• Reward small steps• Move Gradually toward the desired

goal!

Monitor the organization skills daily• In order to help your child

establish a daily routine of staying organized, you will need to monitor several things.– Morning and Nightly check in– Check her agenda daily– Assist with nightly planning time.

Motivate your child through encouragement

and rewards

• A general rule for praise is to do it soon, strong and often.

i.e. “I really like how you have been keeping on track of your homework assignments! Great Job!”

Tangible Rewards

• Struggles with organizational skills. - behavior chart.

• Provide your child with small, but meaningful rewards

• stay up later, rent a game, play a game with a parent, etc.

• Daily, Weekly or Monthly rewards based upon the needs of your child.

Try to keep Positive!

• Avoid using criticism or punishment • When problems arise, your job

should be to understand the problem and help come up with solutions.

Organizational Tips• Model strong organization skills • Show examples of organization

around your home: bookshelves, cupboards, recipe files, computer desktop, calendars, etc.

Resources

• Cozi.com • Gosimplymobile.com• Reqall.com

What have you What have you personally tried at personally tried at

home that has home that has worked?worked?

What have you What have you personally tried at personally tried at

home that has home that has worked?worked?

You Can Help Your You Can Help Your Child Succeed!Child Succeed!

You Can Help Your You Can Help Your Child Succeed!Child Succeed!

If you have further questionsIf you have further questionsPlease Contact me - Please Contact me - Laura Kennerson, MALaura Kennerson, MA310-530-7750 ext. 6310-530-7750 ext. 6

talkingtohelp@yahoo.comtalkingtohelp@yahoo.com