As I've worked with clients that have school aged children and worked with the students themselves, I've noted that they struggle with the same issues as adults do with their work.  These are the issues:

1.      Stuff/Clutter

2.      Paperwork

3.      Projects

4.      Studying/homework (Action Item)

5.      Schedule (Time Management)

Sound familiar?  Here are some secrets and tips:

I'm sure every parent knows that children learn from a very early age about a schedule, in fact if a baby is not on a schedule it's pure chaos for everyone involved.  I'll let you in on a secret...they also learn how to put their things away and organise in day care and it continues throughout their school career.  Organising guru Julie Morgenstern details how the layout of a kindergarten school room can be and should be applied to every room for organising purposes.  Students have lockers for their jackets, school books, gym clothing etc.  If they don't put their things away, they disappear never to be seen again.  Peter Walsh has a rule in the house that if you leave your stuff lying around, it goes in the Friday box, which means you don't see it again until Friday regardless of what it is.

Here are our tips/rules:

1.     Stuff/Clutter

a. If you take it out, put it back.  Unless it's the empty milk container...we all know that goes into the recycle bin...no playing dumb kids!

b. If it's yours, it belongs in your room.  So if you did your homework at the dining room table, before you go to bed it goes back into your bedroom or school bag.

2.      Paperwork

a. Paperwork needs a filing system.  A magazine holder for each subject is a handy way for kids to file quickly, and then they can further file the paperwork into binders.  Have index dividers available for the binders.

b. empty your schoolbag every day, and put what you need in it for the next day before you go to bed.

c. at the end of the year, go through all of the paperwork and art and projects with your child and purge HUGE amounts of it.  Only keep a limited amount of memorabilia, and chuck the rest.

3.      Projects such as an art project or a large report require a simple project management plan.  First identify the steps needed (i.e. purchase supplies, research artist, paint, assemble project board, write report).  Then take the due date, subtract 1 or 2 days as a cushion, estimate how much time is required for each step, and schedule them into the study calendar so that the project can be chipped away at.  Note that a project is not complete until every supply is put back, every research note is chucked or filed, and every research book is put away/returned to the library.  You wouldn't get away with leaving everything all around the office at work.

4.      Studying/homework should be a set time every day.  There should be a 15 minute snack break when they come home, and then they can dig into this plus getting some of their project work done.  Ideally it can be completed before dinner, so then they can eat and relax before bed.

5.      Schedule/Time management.

a.      Be careful to not over schedule your child and as a result your whole family.  Prioritise their schoolwork and family time over all else.  Children need time to de-stress and relax...I don't think that you want to raise adults who don't know how to relax or connect with people because they are constantly overcommitted and running in many different directions.

b.       Create a snapshot of the reality of their schedule.  Include school time, eating, 8 hours sleeping (teenagers need more sleep time - proven medial fact), travel to/from places, coming along for errands, extra activities plus time chatting plus travel, study time, project time, snack time, getting ready/dressed time, family time.  You will soon see if they have enough time for that additional activity or puppy that they are asking for.  I did this with one client, and it was a huge eye opener, they even had a family meeting to discuss it.

These are all skills/lessons that will be useful in their adult life, whether it's how to manage their time or stuff, or knowing how to shut off from the work and relax.  Good luck!  As always, I'm happy to answer any of your questions!