Keeping kids organized
Being organized is not a talent you’re born with. It’s a mindset that helps people minimize chaos in their lives. It takes effort, even after it becomes second-nature. Many people wish they, or others, could be better organized. While well-organized people don’t automatically sail effortlessly through life, they do seem to have an easier time with the details. They accomplish more, and more efficiently, than their less-organized peers.
For that reason alone, organizational skills are worth cultivating in a child. Especially if the child already has cognitive or physical challenges to contend with. Approaching problems and tasks in an organized way can enrich a child’s life in the short and long terms. Scholastically and at home, even a little mastery of organizational thinking can mean greater confidence, higher-quality work, deeper learning, more productivity, pride and independence—as well as less need to retrace steps, fewer do-overs, less searching for lost stuff and less frustration.
Some children have their own level of tolerance for a messy life. Once that level is reached, they swing into action and clean their room or sort through their backpack without prompting. For them, disorganization can be self-regulating. For others, disorganization might trace back to a specific cause. For example, children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often seem disorganized. So do many people on the autism spectrum. Or the issue might stem from medications, trauma, lack of sleep, stress, anxiety or other causes.
In some cases, the underlying issue is about executive function (EF), a clinical term that relates to the complexities around planning, goal setting, organized thinking, time management and similar skill sets. Whatever the cause, a child with an EF deficit may have chronic trouble getting and staying organized.
But be careful. An EF deficit, which can and should be addressed, can look similar to simple irresponsibility or lack of self-discipline. How can you distinguish between the two? Look for recurring patterns like these:
Difficulty creating focused narratives (i.e., a story or joke) in a logical sequence
Forgetting to bring needed items to or from school—including school-related as well as personal items
Neglecting to gather components needed to complete a task
Scattering possessions without returning them to their proper place
Trouble with multi-tasking
Consider these tips for helping a child develop better organization skills:
Keep it manageable. Reduce larger goals into bite-sized pieces, so the child doesn’t feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new habits they’re trying to learn. Checklists and deadlines can help with this.
Pay attention to sequencing. Sometimes, staying organized is about the order you do things—not just the individual sub-tasks.
Model the right behavior. Show by example how to break tasks into a series of organized behaviors. And talk it through while you’re doing it. As an example, think about the separate tasks involved in unloading groceries: carrying the bags inside, locking the empty vehicle, separating items for the freezer, refrigerator or pantry, closing doors when you’re finished, etc.
Be consistent. If you focus on correcting a particular pattern or behavior on Monday, don’t let it slide on Wednesday. And be just as consistent when praising a child for demonstrating new organized behaviors.
Be supportive. The child is not the problem. The disorganized behavior is. Explain the benefits of a more organized life in terms the child relates to. Try to build small goal-oriented victories into your plan; celebrate those so the child can experience incremental successes.
Enlist help from teachers and family members. Children learn more effectively when they experience the same messaging about organization at home and at school.
If you’re concerned about a child’s lack of organization, Hope Haven can help with testing that can identify the cause(s) and treatment options. To learn more or schedule a virtual or in-person visit, call us at (904) 346-5100.