HOW TO STAY ORGANIZED THIS SPRING

The time has come for spring cleaning, which means it’s also time to get organized! No matter how old you are, staying organized is a difficult thing. One lazy day and you find that nothing is in its place. It can be especially challenging is you struggle with weak executive functioning skills or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). That’s why we have developed a simple plan to help you get and stay organized!

In a 2013 survey by the Huffington Post, 84% of stressed Americans admitted that they worry about the organization and cleanliness of their home. Among that group, 55% cited the disorganization as a cause of recent stress. (See the survey results here.)

No one likes to come home to a messy house, or open up an untidy backpack. It slows down your productivity because it adds something else to do your to do list. Before you can cook dinner, you need to clean the dishes. Before you can help your son with his homework, you need to find it.

WHAT ARE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS?

If you or a loved one struggle with organization, you may have weak executive functioning skills. Executive functioning skills include the brain’s ability to prioritize, think flexibly, control impulses and emotions, start tasks, and stay organized. A person with weak executive functioning skills has a harder time with these daily tasks and would benefit from helpful support.

“I THINK MY CHILD HAS LOW EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS.”

If you are concerned that your child may have weak executive functioning skills, you owe it to your child to help as best you can. Start taking notes, indicating the day of the problem and why it’s causing your child difficulty. See if you can establish a routine or a pattern. Voice your concern to your child’s teacher and set up a conference to discuss accommodations.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD STAY ORGANIZED

Even if your child does not have ADHD or weak executive functioning skills, it may still be hard for him or her to stay organized. As students get older, they are responsible for more classwork from multiple teachers. It is challenging to remember to bring home the right supplies, not to mention which papers stay home and which go back to school.

A SOLUTION TO ORGANIZATION – “HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR ‘STUFF’”

NCES executive director and founder Carole Richards has developed a simple organizational plan for students to help them stay organized. Rather than juggling multiple folders and binders for each subject, NCES’ system uses just two binder – one for home and one for school. Once the plan is introduced and implemented by a parent or tutor, the student learns to become self-sufficient and monitors their own progress.

HIRE A NORTH COAST TUTOR!

Need assistance with the organizational plan? Give us a call! A specially trained North Coast tutor will come to your home regularly to help your student with the organizational plan, homework, and any other academic needs. We serve seven Northeast Ohio counties and have tutors available seven days a week. Call (440) 914-0200 for your free consultation today!