Getting your Child Organized at Home

Most children need help from parents with organization at home and keeping their room clean. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, he/she is likely to need extra help. Making organization and cleaning up a regular activity will make it a lot easier. Below are some ideas for getting your child organized at home. It works best to do these things with your child, instead of doing them for your child. Children need to develop a sense of responsibility for their things and develop organization habits.

• Have a child friendly place for everything to go. It is easiest for children to stay organized when there is a clearly marked place for things to go. One kid friendly system is to use baskets. Have baskets for different types of toys (for example, Legos, cars), baskets for books, baskets for arts and craft supplies, et cetera. You could even replace your child's dresser with a shelf with baskets. Children are able to pull the baskets out and really look through them (unlike drawers).
• Labels, label, label. Label the baskets, drawers, or bins you use so your child knows what goes where. If your child does not have strong reading abilities, use pictures (for example, put a picture of Legos on the Lego basket).
• Put things at your child's level. If you have a small child, be sure he/she can access they things they need every day easily. Having everyday items on bottom shelves can be helpful. Put things your child does not need daily access to higher up (you could hang things on hooks on the wall and put things on top closet shelves)
• Have a family calendar. Have a large family calendar that is available for all family members to see. Put all important family events on it. Reminder your child to look on the family calendar and contribute to it when due dates or special events arise.
• Schedule time for organizing and cleaning. HHave a time each week to help your child clean out his/her room and play areas. Take this time to re-organize everything. Make sure everything is in its proper place (for example, socks in sock drawer or basket). Put this time on your calendar to make sure it happens. Regular organizing and cleaning can prevent big problems!