How to Teach Organizational Skills to Elementary Students

Organization is key for any student to be successful. Instilling a sense of order in students doesn’t have to be a difficult task, and it surely won’t be if you’ve started your class with a morning activity that gets your students in the mood to be there.  

When working with children as an educator, it is important that you learn how to teach organizational skills to elementary studentsOrganization might very well be one of the most underrated, yet most important skills we teach our students to give them the tools necessary to succeed in their futures.  

A disorganized student may have trouble keeping up with their materials and using their time in an effective manner. These students can range from those who have messy desks, to those who repeatedly forget their homework. In fact, recent survey highlights that a lack of organization is the leading barrier to student success. 

While the topic surrounding how to teach organizational skills to elementary students is often overlooked in the school system, below you’ve got a list of three strategies that can help your students get organized and manage their responsibilities.  

1. Set up and stick to a classroom routine

Establishing a daily routine for your students can give them a sense of structure upon first arriving to the classroom. A student with a class schedule has their day planned for them and understands what will be expected of them on a daily basis. It gives them a sense of security in knowing what to expect as the day goes on. This is also a way for parents at home to help their students prepare for the new day that awaits them. 

2. Get help from parents

Figuring out how to teach organizational skills to elementary students isn’t just your job as an educator, it’s the job of the parents as well. All things start from within the home, and organization is no different. Parent-teacher communication is essential and it can be incredibly beneficial to you to keep parents looped in with their child’s progress. With the support from their parent, students will understand the importance of being organized and that you want them to become self-sufficient.  

3. Monitor schoolwork

Learning how to teach organizational skills to elementary students can start with the simple task of requiring that homework goes home each night and is signed and returned to school every day. This build trust and rapport with the students’ parents and gives responsibility to the student to stay on track with their schoolwork.  

Organization breeds confidence and all of these ideas can help transform your disorganized students to organized ones. Figuring out how to teach organizational skills to elementary students isn’t rocket science, though it can certainly feel that way at times. These strategies will give your students the tools and skills that they need to manage their responsibilities and become motivated to be (and stay) organized.