Back to Organized Kids Index Organized Kids

Help Your Child Clean

That Messy Backpack

by Maria Gracia Updated October 28, 2023 Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. Backpack chaos isn’t just a mess. It is a symptom. If you are cleaning out your kid’s backpack often and then finding it a disaster all over again, there is a good chance disorganization is affecting your child at school…even if your son or daughter is coming home with decent grades. If your child’s backpack is messy, there are likely many times during the day that he or she is fumbling through pockets and papers looking for assignments. It would be great to think that we are born organized, but that isn’t the case. When you look at a little baby, you don’t think “My gosh, he sure is organized!” Children learn to be organized by being taught good techniques. They really can’t make it up on their own. Sort it out Take a bit of time to create some organization in your child’s backpack. The best way for her/him to learn to be organized is to do it with you. • Direct your kid to make and label folders for finished homework papers, assignments to do, notes from school and so on. This way he/she can easily find what is needed or to put things away. I like the fabric, zippered, 3-ring binders that hold multiple folders safely inside. • Help your son/daughter get all pencils, pens, etc. in pencil pouches. • Instruct your kid to toss all candy wrappers and other trash. • Help your child relocate any unwashed gym clothes to the laundry room. Plan ahead A checklist at home for loading the backpack is also a good idea. Use a white board to create a list that your child can check off each night as he/she loads up for the next day. This might include items like signed papers, homework, pencils, library book, lunch money, and so on. Place the white board above a coat hook that the backpack can hang on. Follow-up Meet with your child every Friday and check his/her backpack. If it’s organized, great. Offer your congratulations. If not, have your son or daughter empty the bag and reorganize everything back into it. Your job is to provide any pointers and follow up each week. Don’t organize for your child. Rather, watch and verbally help until your child can do it on his or her own. Back to Organized Kids Index