Preparing Kids for School - Help for the Disorganized
School is a place where learning happens. Unfortunately, it is also where kids often lose their things. A lunch box and a backpack may be easy to remember. Throw in a PE kit, some art supplies, and notebooks, though, and the story changes.
This article explores why schools are teeming with lost items and offers practical solutions for parents and children alike.
Does Your Kid Keep on Losing His Things?
Experts believe that most children do not intentionally lose things. Even achievers occasionally misplace a pen, leave behind a textbook, or accidentally grab an identical school item from a schoolmate.
According to Good Morning America (GMA) parenting advisor Ann Murphy, this is not at all surprising. A lot can happen in a busy, social environment. Adjusting to events during and after class can be overwhelming for children who are in a €transitional€ age. She said that oftentimes, items are lost when students shift from one activity to the next.
Occasional losses are acceptable of course, but repeat incidents are not. Losing things habitually teaches little about responsibility and organization. It is also a growing expense for the parent who must shell out cash to replace the item lost or left behind.
Pointers for Parents: How Can Grownups Help?
While losing items sometimes cannot be helped, children can be trained to become systematic way even before they reach school. Here's what parents can do:
Instilling the right mindset and habits in children can significantly reduce the number of items they misplace or leave behind in school. The time and money saved for replacements is a nice bonus for parents too.
This article explores why schools are teeming with lost items and offers practical solutions for parents and children alike.
Does Your Kid Keep on Losing His Things?
Experts believe that most children do not intentionally lose things. Even achievers occasionally misplace a pen, leave behind a textbook, or accidentally grab an identical school item from a schoolmate.
According to Good Morning America (GMA) parenting advisor Ann Murphy, this is not at all surprising. A lot can happen in a busy, social environment. Adjusting to events during and after class can be overwhelming for children who are in a €transitional€ age. She said that oftentimes, items are lost when students shift from one activity to the next.
Occasional losses are acceptable of course, but repeat incidents are not. Losing things habitually teaches little about responsibility and organization. It is also a growing expense for the parent who must shell out cash to replace the item lost or left behind.
Pointers for Parents: How Can Grownups Help?
While losing items sometimes cannot be helped, children can be trained to become systematic way even before they reach school. Here's what parents can do:
- Be familiar with the school requirements for the day or the week. Encourage kids to pack only what's necessary. The risk of losing an item is higher when the child brings in everyday what is only needed for Mondays and Wednesdays, for instance.
- Keep a master list or inventory. Then, teach and check regularly where supplies should be kept or where to report and claim lost-and-found objects in school. The less clutter they see, the easier it will be for children to keep track of their personal belongings.
- Label everything and get your child involved. If using the conventional marker and sticker paper seems taxing enough, dishwasher-safe and waterproof stickers are a more convenient and durable alternative. Many can be customized to include personal particulars - even your child's favorite logo.
Instilling the right mindset and habits in children can significantly reduce the number of items they misplace or leave behind in school. The time and money saved for replacements is a nice bonus for parents too.
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