Kids are great at many things, including losing things! It’s common for young children to lose books, keys, umbrellas, toys, and even backpacks. But have no fear – we’re here to share how to help your child keep track of their items.
Establish A Routine
It’s easier for both adults and children to remember everything if they have a daily routine. Repeating the same steps daily will help the child remember to put their things in the same places every day.
It helps to make preparing their backpack a daily project that you do together. Help them put everything away they don’t need. And make sure everything they need for school the next day is in its proper place in the backpack.
Purchase A Backpack With Lots Of Pockets
A fantastic way to keep your child organized is to buy them a new backpack with lots of pockets and compartments.
When every item has a place in the backpack, they’ll be better organized and less likely to forget things on to the way to and from school every day.
Put Labels On Everything
Most things lost at school turn up sooner or later, and often at the school lost and found. Putting a label on all of your child’s things, such as backpack, jacket, and gym shoes, will increase the chances they will be found.
Put a phone number or email or every possession, too.
Find Out How Their School Day Goes
It helps with a younger child to find out where they go during the day. Talk to your child’s teacher so you understand their school routine. Then, you can talk to her about their school day and give them reminders before getting on the bus.
For instance, if they are always leaving their lunchbox in the cafeteria, remind them to check for it before going back to the classroom.
Write A Checklist
Work with your child to make a colorful and cheerful checklist and put it in their backpack. This helps her to get ready for school and ensure she remembers everything needed for that day.
Make the list durable by laminating it. Review the checklist with her every day until it’s memorized.
Using a checklist to remember things also helps her hone organizational skills that are useful later in life.
Only Let Them Take Essentials
A typical problem with children losing things is they’re simply taking too many things with them! Cut down what they take to school to only what they really need.
If they have lost their lunchbox more than once, send them to school with a paper bag.
Consider A Smart Finder
Smart finders have batteries, so you cannot put one on every item. But you can put it on the larger, more important possessions.
The smart finder can be connected to your cell phone. Then, you can track your child’s things and even share the finder with other cell phones.
You might be tempted to replace anything your child loses right away. Maybe do that the first or second time. But if they continue to lose things, sometimes it’s best to let them do without it temporarily, if possible.
Letting children experience consequences is an important part of learning. If your child often loses her things, talk about the consequences. Of course, everyone loses something sooner or later, so keep everything in perspective.
If you practice the organization tips highlighted here, your child will be able to hang onto their possessions more easily. And you won’t need to run to the store every week to replace something!