This time, I'm being spurred on my SocialMoms and HotWheels as they are currently running a blogging program (see my disclosure at the bottom of this post) that encouraged participating bloggers to share their top 10 tips on organizing your childrens' room or playroom. Well, I have lots of ideas in this department, so I'm all for it. You, my lucky readers, therefore are going to benefit from a lengthy post today consisting of not just one tip, but TEN!
(1) See it from the child's viewpoint. Keep in mind that the 'shorties' in our lives do not have the same access to upper drawers, dresser tops, and even closet rods. Try to consider the stature of your children in mind. Remember that the easier you make it to put things away for your children, the better it is for you!
(2) Get the children involved. This is especially important as these children begin growing up to be pre-teen and teenagers. Remember moms, we are training our children to become productive, effective adults and it is a responsibility that we need not take likely. Don't just decide on the best way to restructure or organize your child's room or playroom. Rather, involve them in the process. A great blog article walks you through 10 questions to ask to help you declutter. http://organizing.yourway.net/10-questions-to-help-you-declutter/ Have your child read this article with you, or read it to them before you get started revamping their room. (3) Rotate toys and purge toys
(4) Containerize. Use baskets, bins, and labels! This is the part that many of us tend to just jump right into. We love having new products that we can put our 'stuff' into, right?! As a Clever Container consultant, I admit that I also like it when you like to purchase new products, however, in the best interest of all, this step is best left for after you have purged. Once you have figured out what really deserves a place in your room (and your life), THEN you can either re purpose some of the existing containers you already have, or you can get some that meet your newly found needs. Check out www.clevercontainer.com/colleen and then go to the product categories: 'Kids', 'Storage', and 'Crafts'.
Also in this area, I would like to encourage you to label these bins so that there is no question as to what goes where. For your pre-readers, your labels can simply be pictures. If you 'like' Avery's FB page for moms at: http://www.facebook.com/TheOrganizationOfMoms you will gain access to some of the cutest templates for your children's bins!
(5) Recognize the "types" of toys. Generally speaking, there are 3 main types of toys: everyday, collections, and stuffed. Everyday toys are primarily plastic toys. Collections are toys that have many parts and go together for a certain type of play. Think Lego's, train pieces, etc. Stuffed are . . well, stuffed toys. These are soft toys that accumulate at a shockingly fast pace in my home.
(6) Use a timer. People tend to perform better when they perceive a deadline. Use this to your advantage when you are helping your children organize or clean their rooms. You can make little games using the timer, such as "How many items can each child put into the proper place in the next three minutes".
(7) Every item needs a place. This is an Organizing 101 rule. You cannot expect even the best behaved, brightest child to keep order if there isn't any order in place. You have to clearly define the proper location for everything that is expected to be put away. Again, make them part of these decisions and they are more likely to continue to honor it.
(8) Create play 'centers'. Think of a kindergarten classroom. The teacher sets it up so that it is very clear to all that enter the room where they would go to play with the play food and kitchen, as well as what area of the room is dedicated to reading books. Try to keep this strategy in your mind as you go through your childs' things.
(9) Remove closet doors. I suppose that this is just my opinion, but I think it makes so much sense to keep it exposed. For one thing, it kind of forces an accountability to keeping it neat but it also provides easy access to your children to both retrieve and put things back. Take full advantage of the shelves that you might have in the closet. Storing off season clothing and/or the toys that you rotate are great uses for closet shelves.
(10) The final tip is to Get it (and keep it!) off the floor. It is always a good idea to use vertical storage solutions. Speaking of getting things off the floor, how cool is the newest product line from Hot Wheels? Seriously! As a mom to four boys, I know that Hot Wheels are a favorite. It is awesome that they have tracks that you can mount on the wall (using Command brand backing). Check it out here: http://www.hotwheels.com/walltracks?tab=StarterSet
Come back tomorrow for the next tip and tell your friends about this 100 tips on organizing thing that I'm doing! Also, if you are a blogger yourself, check out the link in my disclosure below if you'd like.
We have 94 days remaining in 2011 - how are you spending those days?
“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hot Wheels® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”
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