Re: Organizing Children-help!

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: Aloha Jo....

: <<My 12 year old ADD daughter has much difficulty with organization- does any one have any ideas how I can help her keep her room and schoolwork organized? >>

: Jo, I have worked w/ADD kids in the past & actually organization for any child needs to be FUN! Get your daughter involved in the process too!  {when I work w/kids -- we work 1-1 just like any of my adult clients & they have a lot of great ideas that need to be heard}

: an aside:

: I worked w/a 9 yr old ADD boy that always tossed his dirty clothes on the floor -- while we worked together he kept pitching paper, socks etc in fancy ways, pretending he was playing hoop. "Ahaa!" Then I got a brilliant idea -- his mom ok'd us hanging a toy basketball hoop in the room & we then placed the laundry basket underneath it ! That was 3 yrs ago & to this day his laundry on the floor is no longer an issue!!  

: Moral of the story: Keep it FUN ... listen ...& watch your child -- she may be indirectly already giving you big clues on what will asssit her :)

: One thing I find very beneficial is color coding as much as possible! Ex: 

: * use a yellow crate is used for crayons & paints & art paper
: * use a red crate for doll's clothing or accessories
: * a green grate for games
: etc....

: Keep items in an organized *visual* manner -- if a child can *see* where it goes easily -- it's more enticing to put it back where it belongs too. Ex:

: Check out the Container Store & use their Elfa wire basket system for storing clothing. 
: Hang T-shirts on hangers -- not kept folded in drawers

: Another thing you may want to invest in is a P-Touch labeler & label where items go -- let your daughter get involved with the process as much as possible & guaranteed she will be more motivated to maintain it!

: For school papers -- checkout some of the products made by At-A-Glance -- they have a whole new line for kids that is awesome & very creative in assisting them to stay organized.

: You can also use "Slash Pockets" they too are color coded & each different color can be used for a different subject.

: Another kool product is the EZ Pocket (check our "Kool Organizing Tools section)  There is a EZP that comes with each day of the week -- this can assist in creating an area for upcoming or completed assisgnments.

: These are just a few ideas -- Hope something helps! If you run into a snag -- feel free to post again & we'll see what we can do to help you out. Just remember, that while having ADD can be a challenge -- it does not mean she cannot do it -- she just needs the *right tools*. 

: One last thing -- I find my ADD clients are by far the most creative people I have ever met -- use her creativity to assist in the process & you will be amazed at what ideas will work to help keep her organized. Just remember, you cannot tell a child to "go clean up your room" without the proper tools.  <smile>

: Much Aloha,

: Julie Signore - 
: President:  The PHOENIX Organizational Consulting Service
: CEO:  1,2,3 SORT IT   Organizing Solutions -- Innovative Tools
: NSA Member, NAPO Member


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