It can seem chaotic to organize with kids, but using the acronym I CARE helps keep everyone on task!
Identify
To organize with kids, start with setting goals together. Everyone is unique and has their own ideas of what being “organized” means. Take the time to ask your kids questions and find out what they think! Do they want more space to play? Do they want to be able to see all the toys they love, instead of having to dig through a bin full of toys they like and toys they don’t? If your kids understand why they’re organizing, it will be easier to motivate them. Instead of organizing FOR kids, it’s important to organize WITH kids.
Categorize
Look at the items you have, and divide them into “Let go of” and “Keep” categories.
Let go of clothing that your kids have outgrown, and toys they don’t play with anymore. Finding and letting go of clothes that don’t fit anymore is pretty simple, but toys are a bit more complicated. It’s a good time to teach your kids about using resources wisely and not being wasteful. Show them that toys that aren’t broken can be donated. They often have an easier time letting go of old toys if they know someone else will play with them and take care of them.
If you’re having difficulty deciding when to let go of toys, make a place for things you know your child isn’t playing with regularly. Suggest to them that if they haven’t played with a toy again by the next time you go through their toys, then someone else could use it.
Keep things that are still useful or well-loved. Toys that are played with, clothes that fit, and items that are necessary for schoolwork are all worth keeping.
Assign Homes
Children have different organizational needs from adults. They’re short, and not very strong, so it’s best to keep things that they need access to lower to the ground, and in smaller containers. That way they can grab what they need by themselves (and return it later!)
Keep like with like—books with books, cereal with cereal, and so on. I always advocate using labels, especially on containers that aren’t see-through. For kids, these can be written labels, or pictures for younger ones.
To keep things simple, it’s a good idea to rotate toys for younger children. Rotating should be between different types of toys. Instead of having three tricycles, you could have a tricycle, a ball, and a hula hoop that they rotate through. This cuts down on duplicate toys, and encourages development of different motor skills!
I recommend keeping toys in their bedrooms. That way they have access to what they need easily, and you can have some grownup space at the end of the day.
Realistic
Be realistic about the space you have and how much can really fit in your home. At the end of the day, kids don’t need more stuff, they need love and attention!
Easy to Maintain
When it comes to organizing with children, Maria Montessori had it right: have one home that is in easy reach for each item. This makes it easy to take out, and easy to put back. The simpler it is to clean up, the more likely your child will enjoy doing it. Use vertical space and shelving that’s easy for them to access.
At the end of the day use a basket to collect toys and put them back where they belong (in your child’s bedroom), so you can have space for yourself after the kids are in bed.
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I always love working with children and observing how their minds work. ( Thinking like a child) It’s so interesting. Often, just by listening, you will learn a lot.
Keeping like with like and having a home for everything is key. I agree with you that labeling makes it easy and accessible. For pre-readers pictures work wonders to identify what’s in a cubby.
Yep! It’s all about recognizing what each child needs depending on their age, their likes and dislikes, and their personality!
Maria Montessori was so right! Many playrooms have items where they can’t be reached, or it is just a big hassle to get to them. That idea about not having everything falling to the bottom of a giant bin is also so true. That only leads to dumping the whole thing out to find what you are looking for, and then no one wants to put it all back. Super tips!
Thanks, Seana! Always good to hear from you.
The fall gets so busy, and then it is the beginning of the holiday season before you know it. It is so important to take the time before the fall starts to help the kids get organized. Thanks for sharing your advice about organizing with children.
You’re super welcome, Sabrina! You’re right, things happen fast with kiddos.
These are excellent tips. I especially like your encouragement to organize “WITH” kids and not for them. By organizing together, not only are you teaching them life skills that they can apply to other areas, but you are respecting their ability to have agency and choice over their likes and dislikes.
Exactly, Linda. Kids’ agency is so important.
This is an effective way to think about getting and staying organized that can apply to adults as well as children.
Thanks, Sheri! Yep, this works for grownups too : )
I suggest to my clients that they rotate toys. With fewer toys out they are easier to clean up. When you bring out the other toys they seem new again. Making sure things are at a height they can reach is very important otherwise they always need help and don’t learn responsibility. Thanks for the ICARE. It is a nice way to remember the organizing steps.
You’re welcome, Julie! These are some great tips–kids are short but that doesn’t need to inhibit their play!
I really like the way you broke this down and the acronym is easy to remember! As a former elementary school teacher, I’m a big advocate of keeping things simple. Also rotating toys is an important thing to do. When children have fewer choices they actively engage with the toys at their disposal.
Yes! Kids need less than we think. They’re creative!
Love the I CARE acronym – easy to share with kids.
Thanks, Lisa! Always best to keep things simple : )
I love your ICARE approach, but my favorite part was, “Children have different organizational needs from adults. They’re short, and not very strong, so it’s best to keep things that they need access to lower to the ground, and in smaller containers.” Adults don’t think about the manual dexterity, height, range of motion, and strength issues. My mother studied nursery school education, and she said the first thing she learned about working with tiny humans and their spaces was to get down on the floor and see things from their perspectives. Great tips!
Thanks so much, Julie! I’m glad we offered some out-of-the-box suggestions. Seeing things from a child’s perspective is a great idea!