We took December off since it was a short month “school-year” wise. Back today with a focus on Organizational Skills. Organization is actually one of the areas of executive function so linking the skill to the work habit is super easy. The not so easy part is that there are few quick or incredibly unique, fun ways to teach and practice organizational skills. At today’s staff meeting we are going to focus on organizational style, accommodations and some play activities you can do. I have to say, though, as I walk around our hallways I see such amazing organization. The teachers at Echo Lake are so organized, set routines, practice routines, and create a structure for the students to be success so this feels a bit like preaching to the choir.
Organization (like all skills) is really that combination of nature and nurture. We are born with genetic component (the brain part) that impacts our tendency for organization and our organizational style. We learn how to be organized by practicing, watching others, and modeling. Keeping routines, expectations, and organization in everything we do teaches organizational skills. Kids that struggle with this skill will thrive and really need these supports and structure. Kids that are pretty organized on their own will also thrive and bask in the “fun” of the routine and organization. It’s really a win-win for everyone.
So let’s talk organizational style… There are really 3 organizational styles (no, not super organized, organized, or unorganized). We have visual, spatial/cozy, or chronological/sequencing styles. Figuring out which style you have and which your student or child has can help us provide the best structure and materials for success. These styles may be why what appears to be so logically organized for me isn’t working for my daughter. Here is a What is your organizational style adapted from “Organizing the Disorganized Child” to help identify your style.
Once you figure out the style, check out this Organization by STYLE for different materials to best fit your needs.
Here are some other resources you may like:
One of the biggest accommodations referenced when taking about organization is using graphic organizers. There are a ton from the Practical Ideas that Really Work for Students with ADHD book. Let me know if you want to check out this book. I’ll do a blog post with just graphic organizers by Friday so you can access a bunch of them!
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Hocus Pocus Focus! 