Organizing School Supplies
When school kids get home from school, their arrival is often accompanied by an avalanche of backpacks, notebooks, and sports equipment. It can be challenging to keep things organized, but the more organized they are, the more independent they are. You’re much less likely to hear, Mom, where is my . . . fill in the blank. Finding extra space can be difficult–especially in smaller homes and apartments, but with some creativity, it is possible to make a nice homework center for the kids.
Often the kitchen table is homework central, but if you’re ready to reclaim your kitchen, a converting a spare bedroom is a no brainer. It’s easy to find old office desks, or even student desks on your local Craigslist or from schools getting rid of old desks. Even a standard table and chairs will work, as long as they are at a comfortable height for the children. You can often pick things up at yard sales for a good price. Add some hooks to the wall to hold backpacks; shelves for reference books and you have a great study room. Finally, make sure there is plenty of task lighting.
If you have more limited space available, you could put hooks in a hallway, possibly near the entrance or in a closet–one for each child. They are responsible for making sure their backpack is on their hook when they come home and is only taken down when they are either doing their homework or going to school. Then they can do their homework at the kitchen or dining room table, putting everything back in their backpack when it is done and then hung on their hook.
Another idea to consider is to make a foldaway desk. If there is a closet in each child’s room, you can create a foldaway desk that attaches to the closet door. Measure the door and cut a piece of wood to fit (allowing for doorknob and hinges). Sand and paint the wood and attach it to the door with hinges. Be sure to use screws that don’t go all the way through the door, or bolts that go from the other side of the door into the wood. Attach another piece of wood vertically, also on hinges that can be pulled out to support the desk. When the children aren’t using it, fold the support and top back against the door and the desk is out of the way.
The key is to get a system in place and making sure everyone remembers to put their school things in the same place every day. It may take a few reminders before the kids do it on their own, but eventually it will become something they do automatically when they come home.
Agree or disagree?
