How to Create a Homework Organization Center

It's back to school time and your kids are about to embark on a year filled with permission slips, homework, spelling tests and projects. Inevitably, your home will become filled with the same. Keeping it all straight is no small feat. This article with explore how to create an organization center in your home that will help you and your children stay on top of the tasks required of them during the school year.

1. Find a central area. The location of your organization center should be in a high traffic area of the home. It is preferable that it be located near the spot where your children will be doing their homework. This helps to cut down on the incidences of "lost" items that seem to disappear in their travels between backpack and desktop.

2. Keep it small. The bigger the center, the greater the invitation for clutter. If your center can only fit the necessities for which it was intended, it will be less likely to collect homeless belongings.

3. Some ideas. A tray table or a seldom used end table are great options that you may already have on hand for the basis of your homework center. If not, you can click here or here for some inexpensive alternatives.

4. Supplies needed. Stackable letter trays like these make for a great filing system. Label different trays with various categories such as "Due Tomorrow," "Due Later," "To Be Signed," "Finished," etc. One system for each child or clearly marked trays with different colored stickers will keep all papers separate. Baskets or small clear boxes make for great catchalls for those much needed supplies such as crayons, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, erasers, scissors, etc. Designate an old plastic cup or mug as a receptacle for frequently used items such as pencils, sharpener, erasers and scissors. Place the cup right next to the letter trays. This way your child can grab their homework page and the cup, take them to a table or desk and get to work. A cork board with a calendar or dry erase board right above the homework station will further help in the task of organization. Post notes in big, bold letters to help your child stay focused (such as "Test in Math Tomorrow").

5. Habits. Get your child in the habit of taking off their coat and shoes and taking their backpack directly to the organization center. There they can file away what has come home with them. Once they have completed their homework, they can return to the center, check the letter trays and pack up for the next day.

6. Some homework helps. Place a small basket containing sugar free gum in the homework center. Studies have found that gum chewing can help children focus on tasks such as reading and writing. Also, if your child chronically resists homework, keep another basket in the center filled with coupons. On the days they complete their homework without protest, they can choose a coupon. Coupons can say things like, "Congratulations, you have earned 15 minutes extra bedtime," or "You did it! You can help yourself to dessert after dinner tonight."

Try some of these ideas in your own version of a homework organization center and you will find that homework hassles are a thing of the past. Your children will learn to develop a routine which will translate into independence and self-organization, removing yourself from the usual homework battles. However, you may still need to help with Algebra from time to time!