When the kids come home from school with their backpacks overflowing with paperwork- it's great if there is an organized homework space for them to unload it all, and a way to keep all of their supplies organized. In my quest to get organized– here's how I created an organized homework space in my kitchen!
I spent a few hours recently re-working our kitchen desk area to make sure that we had a place for everything and a system to keep it all organized. Here's how I did it:
How to Create an Organized Homework Space:
1. Dedicate Some Counter Space for Unloading and Staging
There needs to be room for the kids to unload all of their folders and binders and be able to access them during the afternoon and evening while they are tackling homework. Last week I spent some time examining what we were storing on our kitchen counters and created “homes” for items in cabinets and drawers in order to free up some counter space.
Part of that counter space is now dedicated to being a “landing pad” for school work.
Along with this landing pad space- you also need a system so the kids know how you expect them to use it- starting with an inbox where the kids can put all of their completed school work, school notices and permission slips. This gives you one place to check to go through all of that paperwork in the evening.
2. Make the Homework Space Part of Your Routine
Get your kids into a routine of unpacking their backpacks, getting a snack and then settling down to homework.
I created this after school checklist to remind the kids of our after-school routine. (And I love it when they look at it and then run over to give me my hug!). You can download a free printable blank version of this checklist at the end of this post!
3. Keep Homework Supplies Right Where They'll Use Them!
My kids might do their homework at the kitchen table, or they might do it at their desks in their rooms. So we use a homework caddy that is filled with everything a student needs to do homework- pencils, pens, erasers, glue sticks, colored pencils, markers, rulers, index cards, highlighters, etc.
The fact that all of the supplies are in a caddy with a handle makes it easy for them to take the caddy to where they are working.
4. Have a Filing System for Papers You Need to Keep
You know those papers that come home from school with the kids' login information for various educational websites, or paperwork that pertains to the school instrument rental that you want to keep around? That's the kind of stuff that I like to keep on file right in the kitchen.
I use our family command center to keep papers related to upcoming events, sports schedules, etc.
5. Have a Place for Those Library Books!
My elementary-school-aged kids bring home a stack of library books each week from school- so having a designated place to keep them where we can see them and remember to read them as well as make sure we know where to find them on “library day” is important. We use a small section of countertop space dedicated just for that purpose.
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Looking for some more tools to help you be a more organized Mom?
- The Best Family Calendars for Busy Moms!
- Best Planners for Moms – a family calendar can help you organize your schedule and your time- but a planner can help to make sure that you are giving your life purpose!
- 15 Fantastic Command Centers to Help Busy Moms Stay Organized
Do you feel that your homework space organization is working for you this school year? Why or why not?
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