I want my children to learn how to manage their time, their responsibilities, their projects, their study and their social life.
-
chore rosters
-
study assignments and reading lists
-
project lists
-
Calendar. It is important that the kids can quickly reference to a calendar so I’ve used free online calendars to print off a monthly calendar for the kids Binders.
-
Daily to-do list. This is individualised for each child listing the things that they do in their morning and evening routines. I have also included a weekly routine chart so they can see what is to be the ‘norm’.
-
Study. This will be predominately an assignment sheet and a reading list. This would be the place for them to file any plans for study.
-
Responsibilities. Though we hand the roster sheet in the kitchen, I will include a copy in their binder so they have a personal record and reminder.
-
Personal Development. This is a place to record Bible memory verses or character prompts that I create for each child as a reminder to help them through an issue. Though they could keep their notes from Devotional time here, they have all decided to keep that private in their bedroom with their Bible.
-
Talents. Each child’s folder will be unique, especially in this area. They may file important information relevant to a subject they are pursuing or it may simply be a list of creative projects they have in mind.
-
Correspondence. A place to file letters received, holding them till they’ve been replied to. Once replied to any letters they wish to keep will be filed in another filing system.
-
Phone Numbers and important information
-
Birthdays and gift-giving plans and ideas
-
It is to store information that you find helpful to keep yourself organised and ontop of things – personalise the contents and organisation
-
It is not a filing system – don’t let it get too heavy
-
If it doesn’t work for you – tweak it
-
It has to be used daily
Update:
As technology has advanced different kids used different solutions in order to stay organised and responsible for different areas of their life. Once they had a laptop they used Google Calendar and Microsoft Office to make their own lists and forms to stay in touch. Once they had a phone they used apps to both store and remind them of various things. The important thing isn’t so much setting up a binder – the important thing is that our children become responsible for their life – for their relationships, for growing as a person, for their responsibilities and service to others.
Further Reading
Throughout the week I share with other blogs – check out my Link ups and Party page
My kids have their own homemade planners as well and have been using them for over a year now. My 16 yo son takes his just about everywhere. He keeps all his Boy Scouting notes & project information in there as well as his calendars, address book, & other things he likes to keep track of. My daughter uses hers almost as much. It has been a wonderful tool in teaching responsibilty & organization.
This is great! My daughter has a binder that holds her assignment sheets, but that's about as far as we've gotten. I love the idea of having a book list and other tid bits. I also like the responsibilities check list being in there. Everything in one central location so nothing is forgotten. 🙂
We do chore charts and that has helped my children stay motivated and reminded. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! I popped over from Heart of the Matter Online where they featured your post on their "I Spy" post 🙂
http://christinnjon.wordpress.com
http://christin-journeyofdiscovery.blogspot.com/