Is Your Child’s Backpack A Black Hole?
Homework and backpacks! What is it with kids and those messy backpacks?
Actually, what’s with parents cleaning out those messy backpacks? Teach
your child how to organize her own backpack, turn in her own homework, and
clean her own room (I thought I’d throw that last one in there!)
I wanted to share this great article I found about organizing backpacks
written by Ariane Benefit of Neat and Simple Professional Organizers.
Dear Ariane,
I have a son in 7th grade whose school backpack seems to be a bottomless
pit! It’s so full of stuff, he can’t ever seem to find anything in it!
What can we do to help him manage his backpack better?
Linda S., Bloomfield
What a great question, Linda! Kids backpacks can easily become a dumping
ground. One of the most common issues I’ve seen with kids and backpacks is
that they use their backpacks as storage! The best use of a backpack is to
transport items.
Sometimes just helping your child define a clear purpose for his backpack
makes a huge difference. Other times, the real reason kids “store” items
in their backpacks, is that they don’t have anyplace else to put them! So
that means to fix the backpack issue, we need to set up a system that
integrates with his locker and home-study area. When home and school both
have places to store his things, then he can easily clean out his backpack
regularly and carry only what he really needs for the day.
Another tool for successful backpack management is teaching kids how to
plan ahead daily. Every evening, help him develop the habit of asking
“What do I need to take to school tomorrow?” and pack only those things.
When he gets to school, suggest he unload items he won’t need before lunch
into his locker. After lunch, he can pick up things he needs for the
afternoon.
Before returning home, your child should ask himself “What do I need to
take home to do my homework this evening?” and pack only the things he
really needs. When he gets home, he can unload, do homework, and then
repack his backpack.
NOTE: It is important that your son be involved in making decisions about
the details of organizing his backpack. Being involved helps develop
skills he can use for the rest of his life!
To get started, work with your son to create a list of what he needs to
transport on a regular basis. Then, identify a way to contain each item
and give it a home in his backpack, locker and/or homework area.
Here’s a typical backpack items list along with examples of how to contain
and assign homes to each item.
Class Schedule / School Notices
Locker – Hang a copy of class schedule with magnets on locker door.
backpack – Use a sturdy colorful pocket folder. Place schedule in one
side, announcements going from home to school in the other.
Text Books
Designate a section in the Locker, backpack and home for books.
Lunch / Personal Items / Pens / Pencils
Calculator / MP3 player
Designate a section in the locker, backpack and home. Use a pencil case if
backpack doesn’t have sections built in.
Homework Assignments / Class Notes & Handouts / Completed Homework
Try creating a Class Notes binder (no larger than 1.5 inch) for each
school year. If necessary, use 2 small lightweight binders rather than one
huge one. Label the spine clearly using a P-touch labeler or a thick black
Sharpie. Use Plastic 2 Pocket Dividers with 5 or 8 Tabs by Avery (11906)
to create a section for each class. (Create separate pocket folders for
each school activity such as Boy Scouts.) Carry only the amount of note
paper you need for a week or two of class notes.
In each class section, date a page for each day and write homework
assignments there. Or, you can put all assignments on one master page in
the front of the binder.
One pocket can hold handouts, the other pocket is for completed homework
to be turned in. Make a corresponding home file system for each class.
Every weekend, he should clean out old papers and file them in schoolwork
filing system at home. You may need to help him do this at first for a few
weeks until he develops the habit.
Calendar / Planner
The front of the class notes binder is also a good place to keep a monthly
calendar for recording/planning scheduled activities.
This is only one way to organize a backpack. There are other tools your
son can use depending on his preference. For example, he can use accordion
folders and pocket folders for each class instead of binders. He can use
file boxes or a filing cabinet for schoolwork. Whatever the tools, the
Critical Success Factors are:
Don’t use the backpack as storage..
Plan ahead for each day and evening.
Set up an organizing system in the school locker for unloading backpacks
Provide a home filing system to unload old papers.
Give everything a home in the backpack
Label everything!
Re-organize as needs change.
Involve your child designing the system
Use organizing tools he loves to encourage him to use them.
Treat organizing like a writing project. You may need a few drafts to get
it right – so don’t feel bad when you need to make adjustments as you go!
Good Luck!
Ariane Benefit, M.S.Ed, Organizing Coach, is the founder of Neat & Simple
Professional Organizers. She specializes in helping people create the
homes & offices of their dreams! She is also the author of the popular
organizing and decluttering blog, Neat & Simple Living, and a 30 page
e-book on home office organizing.
http://www.family-homework-answers.com/homework-and-backpacks.html
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