Organization Ideas

Hints from Heidi Higgins

• Offer free bed making service.  This is only good if the child gets out of bed the minute you say get up and  you are standing right there and help him make the bed.  It's done and the child is moving.
  
• Do school work for a ½ hour and then have a 5 minute clean up break. You can do a lot quickly by working together. I found it better to stay and work in the same room together. Someone dusts, someone vacuums, someone picks up the toys...etc...
  
• Our motto is : "Leave no trace, and leave the room a better place." This is helpful to remind children to clean up their stuff.
  
• When you have a messy, unorganized space it's hard for you and children to stay focused on the school work. So much for the mind to take in. 
  
• Whenever we buy something new to bring into our home, we always have to let something old go out....Have a give-away bag handy all of the time.
  
• We have laundry bell. When the dryer is done, we take turns switching loads and we all fold together. This also teaches kids to sort, fold, measure and put away
  
• Meal planning: It's easy to get cranky when the kids ask what's for lunch or what's for dinner and you haven't even thought about it. Give yourself a break and put some planning into this one time a week and then it's done. Have children help make meals and have them know what snacks they can have during school time.
  
• Teach enthusiasm for all of the different subjects. Don't let your own "I hated math as a kid" rub off onto your own children. Praise and help and stay positive. Being organized and having the materials ready for the science project or knowing exactly where the math manipulative's are...will keep things positive.
  
• NOBODY is PERFECT. Observe where your own weaknesses are in your homeschooling program. Write them down and then you are better able to fix and improve the situation.
  
• Children's behavior is so much better in an organized home. It is actually freeing. It allows you to have visitors in your home without excuses. 
  
• Spend time outside. Studies show that children need about an hour of sunshine/outside running around room daily. Do schoolwork outside on a blanket if possible.
  
• Get both parents involved. Have a discussion about expectations around the home and have both parents know what the child is learning and progressing in.
  
• There are many organizing ideas found online at www.flylady.com.  There's a great book I like called The Organized Housewife by Kathleen Schofield.

About Heidi Higgins

Having taught all K12 courses expect kindergarten (most of them 3 times!) Heidi delights in the depth of the curriculum, but understands that the most challenging part of using it is what goes on inside the home and with the family. She loves to share her insights, helps, and hints with other families ready to take on the challenge of balancing life with learning.

We have worked closely with Heidi Higgins. She is such a great example of how schooling at home should be done. She has insights in scheduling, teaching multiple children, using the materials, how to stay organized and many other helpful tips.