May
03
Learn to Organize the Kindergarten Way
By · 5/3/2010
Recently I substituted for our kindergarten and first grade classes. I love spending the day with these great little kids – they are so much fun. When I get my sub plans I am always in awe of how much they accomplish in a day – they keep me hopping! I am also amazed at how organized the teachers and their classrooms are. The kids know the daily routine and they don’t miss a beat. So how do they do it? What are the tricks of the trade? Let’s take a look.When I walk into the room the first thing I notice is that the room is divided into Zones: the Carpet Spot Zone, the Calendar Zone, the Reading Zone, the Arts & Crafts Zone, the Activity Center Zones, and more.
The second thing I notice is that each zone is self-contained. It is its own separate space and is designated for only one type of activity. Children can completely focus on the task at hand without other distractions competing for his/her attention.
Third, all items needed for each activity are conveniently stored at their point of use. For example, the art table has paper, scissors, markers, glue, and stamps. Everything they need is within hands reach.
Fourth, everything in the classroom has a well defined and labeled home. There is no question at clean-up time where items go. Lockers and cubbies are labeled with each child’s name, so there is never a question for anyone (including subs) as to where the papers, coats, and lunch pails go.
Lastly, time and task management is a breeze because there are visual cues all over the room to remind everyone of the day’s events (the planner). Each morning begins by reading the schedule for the day (the to-do list). They know if they will have a special guest or a field trip so they are not surprised by a change in routine. The calendar displays the day, the date and even the weather forecast. My favorite is the Velcro board with laminated photographs of each activity for the day. They are placed in order of when they will take place. This is great for very visual people like me.
This brilliant organizing model can be applied to any room in your home, or your office. If you want your space to function for you, ask yourself these questions.
- What do I want to do in this space? Figure out your zones. If it is your kitchen, you need a cooking zone, dishwashing zone, food storage and prep zones, etc.
- What do I need to get rid of or add to clearly define my zones? If you want your bedroom to be a relaxing retreat you need to get rid of the kid’s toys and maybe add a comfy reading chair.
- What supplies, tools, items do I need to make the best use of my time and not be distracted from my tasks? If you have a baking zone in your kitchen, you want your bowls, mixers, measuring cups, and baking pans all in one spot. It wastes time to run around grabbing things from five different places.
- How will I store all of my supplies for easy access and clean-up? Everything needs a logical home. Label marker bins, have stack-able trays for your paper. If things have order, clean-up is a breeze.
- What visual cues do I need to help keep my space and family organized? Labels are a great solution for shelves and cupboards. They will help everyone know where to return bins when they are finished with them. Try adding a family clean-up schedule in the kitchen. Keep a family calendar in a common area. Visual reminders are always helpful.
Now give it a try! If you get stuck email with questions at daniele@otttogetorganized.com
I feel honored that my room inspired you to write this article. Thanks!