OfficeMax‘s signature, hip and funky school supply line, Schoolio Von Hoolio, has some new and nifty patterns and designs out for the 2009-2010 school year! I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek of the new merchandise….a box of Schoolio Von Hoolio goodies arrived in my mailbox this week. Such darling designs! Funky florals, 70s owls, and cute cupcakes.
I was also able to take part in my first ever blogcast yesterday afternoon….”webinar,” if you will….put on by OfficeMax and starring organizational guru extraordinaire, Peter Walsh. You might know him from Oprah or TLC. (He’s back on Oprah on August 27th, by the way!) Peter shared some incredible tips for moms, teachers, AND students alike for gaining organizational know-how and putting decluttering techniques to work for an easier, less-stressful school year. Throughout the webinar, 200 other bloggers and I conversed back and forth via Twitter.
The multitasking freak that I am, I also simultaneously took notes. Here are a few of the top points, the best advice I gained overall:
- Organization at home gives kids confidence at school…and relieves stress.
- Clutter causes stress for parents AND kids. Clutter also greatly inhibits studying effectiveness.
- First: Determine a vision for every space in your home. What do you want to use the space for? How can you accomplish this mission?
- Make organization a family value.
- Establish clear routines w/ your children. (For example, after school each day, tell them to clean out their backpack, prep it for next day, set out clothes.) Routine shouldn’t stop when toddlerhood ends — older kids thrive off of it and need it, too!
- Complete the cycle. (Finish tasks you begin. Model it for your children. Help them carry it out.)
- Children respond to not only words, but also COLORS and symbols. Subjects can be organized by color folders (for homeschooling AND homework from school to be done).
- Warning signs of being overwhelmed: Spiral of clutter, sudden less involvement in class discussions.
- Letting kids choose their own supplies and take ownership of them helps them want to keep them organized. (Create their own personal desk/desk space, even during the preschool age, if it’s possible.)
- Teachers say the one item kids/families have/buy too much of: Pencils.
- Instead of candy, fruit or mugs, give school organizational supplies as teacher’s gifts. Many teachers spend up to $1,200 a year on supplies for their classrooms!
- Tip for homeschoolers: Try to keep school space and living space separate! (Your and your child’s mental attitudes change when you enter/exit the workspace.)
- Sandwich bags are great for organizing small objects (puzzle pieces, math manipulatives, game pieces) — they’re cheap, they’re see-thru. Other ideas: Small totes, small tupperware containers, jars, zippered mesh bags. Stack attractively on shelving.
- At home, a simple week calendar helps young children learn the concept of time passing and aids in early learning of scheduling.
Peter Walsh has written a number of books, and he also has an upcoming book for the teens called It’s All Too Much…So Get It Together, a sub-let of the similar, widely-popular book for adults.
Search Twitter for #OMX_Blogcast for even more great tips from the webinar. There were tons!
AND look! You can watch the entire webcast right here, right now!
OfficeMax cares about organization and cares about teachers. In fact, this Sunday, August 9th, is Teacher Appreciation Day at OfficeMax. Teachers can receive a FREE reusable shopping tote and get 15% off everything you can fit inside!
Thanks to OfficeMax and Peter Walsh for a terrific experience at “Back to School with Peter Walsh!”
