When you think of organization in the classroom, your mind may wander to pencil cases and assignment trackers. You may think that convincing your kindergartener of the importance of keeping a neat backpack is a futile effort. However, planting seeds of organization in your child’s school life can be made simple by infusing your daily routines with rewards and fun.
Organization is a fundamental part of the Montessori method, helping students establish which tasks need to be completed and in what order. Being organized is an essential skill not only for academic success but later in life as well. Organization is a fundamental aspect of play, social interaction, personal control, and academic performance in a Montessori classroom, and practicing organizational skills will help your kindergartener perform better across the board.
So, how can you help your child get organized for their time in a private kindergarten program?
Daily Routines
The simplest way to create habits of good organization with your kindergarten student is by building and sticking to daily routines. During the school day, your child is used to doing certain activities at certain times of the day, and the predictability of their routine provides them with a sense of security and confidence.
There are many ways to reinforce these systems at home, using picture schedules, calendars, clocks, and other time management strategies. Help your kindergartener write down big events or important tasks on their very own calendar. Then, encourage them to think about how much time each task will take and when they will work on it. Building habits like these help your child to avoid procrastination when it comes to things like homework or projects in their private kindergarten class and throughout their academic career.
Workspace
Another method of forming organizational habits with your kindergartener is by aligning their workspaces with the Montessori method and the idea of the prepared environment. The prepared environment is a space that is developed and designed to maximize productivity and reduce distraction.
You can begin this practice at home by setting aside spaces where your kindergartener can work without interruption, with all the tools they need in reach. This is a skill that your child can familiarize themselves with early on that will teach them to build a comfortable workspace for themselves wherever, leading to increased productivity and ease in their workflow.
Thinking Ahead
Following a routine and creating a productive workspace are things you can do with your child during the day to help them organize their tasks and school work, but there is another tool that is just as useful and easily accomplished.
At the end of your day, perhaps before bedtime, you can sit down with your kindergartener to have a conversation about what they accomplished that day and what they plan to do the next day. These types of talks are a great way to organize your child’s thoughts, helping them feel more secure and at ease.
Chores
Finally, a tried and true method of building organizational skills with your child is by giving them tasks that are theirs alone to complete at home. Good, old-fashioned chores that involve sorting or categorizing are an easy way of inspiring confidence in your child, as they learn they are capable of helping around the house.
Chores are one way of creating a daily routine and allow children to practice other acquired organization skills to get their tasks done. You can ask your child for help folding their clothes, unloading the dishwasher, or other tasks that involve making lists, arranging things, or pre-planning.
Teaching organization skills to your kindergartener does not have to be a difficult task. Getting organized can be an enjoyable activity you and your child do together. It is never too early to start your child off on a path of success, and instilling strong and reliable organizational skills is one surefire way to do so.
At Day Star Montessori, we offer more than basic child care. Our toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs plant the seeds for a lifetime of learning. Our preschool and kindergarten programs are suited for children aged 18 months to 6 years. It is our aim to help your child reach their greatest potential. Visit our blog to learn more about our method or reach out today to begin your journey with Day Star Montessori.
