How to store kids art work
When the art display is finished on the fridge, this product is great for storing them. Jasart Carry Sleeve from Officeworks at around $10 it’s perfect for organising your kids artwork. AND more importantly, it sets a great limit of how much to keep.
Buy one for each child and it’s thin enough to store behind the wardrobe or bed. Throw in a few cloves to keep the silverfish away.
It’s also great for organising x-rays and keeping them in one place. It comes in 2 sizes and is located near their art-work supplies.
Homework hub
Homework is a never ending pile of exercise books, text books, pencils, rulers, calculators etc.
It is a big part of your daily lives, especially up to 6th class and some homework stays at home for the week, not returning until Friday. Do you really want it on the table?
Just a little thought is needed and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do something about it before now. Somewhere, where your kids do their homework, which is generally close to the kitchen, find a place to create a ‘Homework Hub’.
There are many different products on the market that can help, it all depends on the space you have and how many kids you have. Ideally, you want to allocate a drawer, filing tray, magazine holder etc. to each child. This is where their homework goes at the end of each day. Label the drawer. If they have particular pencils, calculators etc. that they use, throw them in here as well, if space permits.
These trays or drawers may go at the end of a cupboard, or in a cupboard somewhere in the kitchen/family room. Have a good look around and see what you can juggle. Howards Storage have several trays on wheels, meant for personal items in bathrooms etc, but depending on the size, work just as well for a Homework hub.
Organising the kids
It is possible to teach kids to organise themselves. Persistance is the key!
- Photos: Simply blue tac them onto a canvas and hang on the wall with 3M hooks.
- Posters/kids drawings: Don’t like them stuck everywhere? Blue tac them onto a canvas. They can change them as often as they like. [Note: For both of the above, you can re-use old canvases the kids painted years ago. Just paint over in 1 bold colour, then stick on your photos and posters.]
- Dirty Clothes on the floor: Buy a simple container/basket (not one with a lid, they won’t remove it and if they do, they won’t replace it). Encourage them to throw their dirty clothes in it. Make it a game, see how far away they can stand and still get them in! Once they can manage this and as they get older add another step i.e. get them to bring them to the laundry.
- Toys: (or the dreaded leggo) If there’s something they use all the time, but have trouble putting back into the ‘original’ box. Buy a plastic container that they can access and return easily. Don’t label it if they can’t read. Stick a piece of the leggo/or a picture on the outside.
- Teenagers: If they have a desk, make sure they have a supply of pens, a stapler, scissors, hole punch, plastic sleeves, note pads etc. If they have what they need at their finger tips, they might actually sit there and work. Officeworks have a great range of cork boards & whiteboards and combination boards in various sizes. Attach one to the back of their door and get them to use it as their ‘organising’ spot. Teach them to organise themselves.
The trick with kids is to make it simple.
Once they’ve mastered the simple task, add another step to it.
Teaching kids the simple job of making their bed each morning (or at least attempting to) and putting their things away teaches them respect. Start while your kids are young. Don’t wait until they’re teenagers, because by then they don’t listen to you – because they know everything! (Gee, can you tell we both have teenagers!)
It takes 21 days to make something new a habit, so persist in the nagging
(sorry… helpful guidance)
Command 3M Strips
Poster Strips -Allows your kids to put posters up on their walls – but best of all, they can remove them easily with no damage to wall or poster. Given that kids change their minds constantly, these are brilliant!
