Organizing the Children’s Department

Time to Get Organizedwww.organizenj.com

“One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making excitingdiscoveries.”

--A.A. Milne

Organizing Styles

• Visual Spatial (VSL) Learner

• Auditory Sequential (ASL) Learners

• Tactile Kinesthetic (TKL) Learners

Visual Learner Characteristics

Visual learners are those who learn through seeing things.

A visual learner: Is good at spelling but forgets names. Needs quiet study time. Has to think awhile before understanding lecture. Likes colors & fashion. Dreams in color. Understands/likes charts. Is good with sign language.

Learning Aids for Visual Learners

Draws a map of events in history or draw scientific process.

Makes outlines of everything! Likes diagrams and maps. Take notes, make lists. Watches videos. Color codes labels and notes. Uses flashcards. Uses highlighters, circles words, underlines.

Auditory Learner Characteristics

Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things.

An auditory learner :

Likes to read to self out loud. Is not afraid to speak in public. Likes to make presentations. Is good at explaining. Remembers names.

Notices sound effects in movies. Enjoys music. Is good at grammar and foreign

language. Reads slowly. Follows spoken directions well. Can’t keep quiet for long periods. Enjoys acting, being on stage. Is good in group settings.

Learning Aids for Auditory Learners

Using word association and mnemonics to remember things.

Recording notes. Taping notes after writing them. Listening to audiotapes. Watching videos. Repeating facts/processes with eyes closed. Participating in group discussions.

Kinesthetic Learner Characteristics

Kinesthetic learners are those who learn through experiencing/doing things.

A kinesthetic learner: Is good at sports. Can’t sit still for long. Is not great at spelling. Does not have great

handwriting. Likes science lab. Studies with loud music on. Likes adventure books,

movies.

Likes role playing. Takes breaks when studying.

Builds models. Is involved in martial arts,

dance. Is fidgety during lectures.

Learning Aids for Kinesthetic Learners

Studying in short blocks. Taking lab classes. Role playing. Taking field trips, visiting museums. Studying with others. Using memory games. Using flash cards to memorize.

Some items found in Children’s Office

• Paperwork: mail, reviews, policies and manuals, catalogs, booklists

• Props: puppets, finger play items, flannel boards, storytime books, music, craft supplies, games, posters, stuffed animals, stickers, costumes

• Other: notes, programming ideas, calendars, prizes

Put Like With Like

• Sort items by kind or category

-- such as by “summer reading program,” “laptime,” or “craft supplies”

Childcraft Education – Clear Storage Bins

Vertical vs. Horizontal Storage

Divide and Conquer

The more shelves and cubbies used,

the easier to accessstored items. Put

smaller items, like CDs, in a basket

.Closet & Storage Concepts - Custom Desk Unit

Go Vertical

Use the height of the

room to store items

Closet & Storage Concepts – Custom Shelving

Store Items Where You Use Them

Or bring the items with you

with moveable storage Rolling Cart - Brodart

Highsmith

Weed Constantly

As new things come in, old things must go…

• Give away

• Throw away

• Move somewhere else

• Reuse in a new way

Label Everything

Use a marker, label maker, post-its or

re-useable tabs

Post-its from Gaylord

Repositionable file tabs from Gaylord

Keep It Simple

Adopt the habit of doing things the easiest way.

Flip through notebook from Brodart

Make Snap Decisions

The time to do accomplish is NOW!

Don’t put off till later what you can do today.

Two Heads are Better Than One

• Ask colleagues or friends for help.

• Post organizing questions on list-serv.

Is this working for me?

Clear your desk every day

1. Look through your "to do" list and add new items.  Prioritize.

2. Make sure all notes & addresses are transferred to your day planner.

 

3. Remove manuals  & catalogs from desk top.

 

4. File as you go.

Create Systems for You

• Each person is an individual

• Use your learning style to organize appropriately

Use appropriate tools

Visual Spatial (VSL) Learner

Series of inboxes vs. the pileMind MapColor codingLabel MakerVertical organizers

Multiple inboxes

Gaylord Bros Brodart Childcraft

Education

Mind Map

Mind Map Template

Color Coding & Vertical Storage

Brodart Desktop Organizer

Gaylord – Hanging Files

Auditory Sequential (ASL) Learners

Talk through a processKeep a hand recorder to take notes, keep to-

do and calendar itemsUse mnemonic devicesHave company to organize withListen to music while organizingRepeat back new information

Mnemonic Devices

• Use acronyms or acrostics

Example: KISS

• Create a story

Tactile Kinesthetic (TKL) Learners

Walk around as you organize Stretch often Use a kitchen timer Baby steps Cut out labels Use different weights and textures of paper Make a game out of organizing or give yourself a reward

Kitchen Timer

Flylady.com

Using texture

• Cut out labels from magazines or use press on letters to label

• Use different weights and textures of papers and card stock for

different categories

Make It a Game• Beat the Clock. Make an exhaustive list of what you want to clean this

spring. Set a timer for each item and see if you can beat your own time. Or work at the same time as a friend and the one who finishes first calls the other one. Play the game “how many papers can I throw out in 60 seconds.”

• Organiz-ercize. Try to incorporate yoga or aerobic moves with your cleaning to “kill two birds with one stone.” Think wax on, wax off.

• The Big Reward. Give yourself benchmarks in your organizing and cleaning project that you can reward with self-pampering.

• Creative Visualization. Draw a picture of what the room will look like clean, tape it to a window or mirror, and get to work.

• Honor Box. Create an art project as you organize. Save parts of the things you throw out to create a memory box or collage as a lasting trophy of your 2008 spring cleaning success.

Time to Get Organized

Spring Cleaning – Get Started Now!