From kindergarten to high school the amount of paper each child uses is pretty overwhelming. There are school tests, research papers, artwork and the everyday use of paper for learning. Have students clean out their desks once a month to remove the clutter.
What are the parents to do with all this paper? Some will throw them out, others will store them for the future and many will let the papers overload our closets and desks. Parents have a difficult time discarding their children’s masterpieces and great literature pieces. How could they possibly eliminate the artwork of the next Robert Bateman?
Parent Help to Organizing Clutter
Art work
Each year label an office box with your child's name, grade, and school year. Place all of their art work in this box. If you are able to let a few find the garbage before this--GREAT. At the end of the school year, peruse the box and keep enough to fit into a letterhead envelope. Frame one piece of child's artwork, with their school picture and signature. You may also wish to make a collage of the art, photograph the artwork and store on a compact disc or make a gallery wall in their bedroom to display their artwork over the years.
Tests
Place the tests in a box. Frame one or keep it on file, but discard most of them, your child in his thirties will not be angry that you threw away his grade 4 science test even if he received 100%. You may also wish to place tests for each grade in an envelope for younger kids to learn from. Once your youngest child has graduated from a grade, throw out all the tests from that year. Past tests are a great aid for grade school and high school. If you are an educator use their tests to assist you in preparing tests for your classes.
Science Projects
A student will do at least one science project a year from about grade 3 to graduation. Place a shelf in your child’s room to display his projects or suggest the garbage in a kind way. Another solution is to display his science project in the kitchen or living room and after a month, discard it. Before you dispose of the science project, take a picture of the project. In addition, videotape your child demonstrating their science project.
Research Papers
Tigers, Africa, and much more are researched by students. They write reports and essays on the wonders of the world. Three hole punch the papers and place in a binder with a table of contents. Research papers are a good learning tool for younger siblings.
School Newsletters/Notices
Read the newsletter, jot down the important notices in your day timer. Do this once your child gives you the notice. Do not let the notes pile up. After the information has been read and recorded, throw them out.
School Mementos
Save your child's recital programs. Paste them in your photo albums next to the photos of them dressed as the turkey in the Thanksgiving Play. The special keepsakes can be part of a scrapbook or placed in a picture frame.
When we are living in the moment it is difficult to discard our children’s work as we want them to stay young. If you are having a difficult time, place in legal boxes and clean the clutter of the previous year. Once your child has reached a new milestone you will be more willing to place their papers in the recycling box.
