Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to support your personal efforts in getting organized and gaining quality time and present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April tackles kids' artwork - how to foster your budding Picasso without getting buried in masterpieces. Thanks, April!
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An Abundance of Artwork!
Along our Tidy Thursday Travels we've 'taken a break', evaluated the contents of what has 'come home with our students' and now we're ready to focus on any artwork that may need storing.
While the systems I've created with clients over the years were actually born in my very own kitchen, don't let that deter you if you're an avid crafter, teacher or volunteer with plenty of memorabilia.
Yes, there was once a day when my refrigerator was overwhelmed with the Hall of Fame {clutter} of finger painted hand prints and macaroni glued construction paper.
But I digress.
In order to liberate this poor appliance I first set some guidelines.
1. We would "showcase" a piece of artwork by only allowing a certain area on the fridge to be used for artwork {think 17"x22"}
2. When a new "piece" came home the kiddo would decide if it should replace the last one
3. When an old piece was retired the artist was the one to place it in the storage system
A few things to note here. In doing so you're:
- teaching the limitations of capacity by allocating a specific area
- facilitating critical decision making by allowing the owner to determine level of importance
- providing a healthy systematic process for storing previous work
Once the work comes off the showcase area, placing it into a storage bin is the easiest way to allow some breathing room for the next big decision. This is where summer break comes in.
Make a date to go through all the artwork. Establish the easy decisions with these categories:
- Stay = worthy of keeping long term
- Gift = ready to let go, but want to give it to someone else {grandparents}
- I don't know = not quite ready to let it go
- Recycle = is oversized and could be used as wrapping paper
- Trash = there is no memory of creating the item and no emotional attachment
When it comes to the "I don't know" category have your artist consider the following questions:
Do you remember what your teacher told you about this project?
{the lesson that went with it or the instructions}
Who did you work on this with?
{group effort, your best friend in class}
Did anything funny, exciting, surprising happen during this project?
{doing the assignment outside, used a new tool}
{Be sure to journal any responses on the back of the artwork}
If they are still feeling anxious offer some of the following solutions:
- Take a picture of them holding the item {capturing size of project & age of child}
- Take a picture of the item while it has it's time in the Hall of Fame {keep the picture while letting go of the bulk}
- Have them set a time limit before they'll let it go {I'll keep it for 3 more weeks}
- Establish a showcase area in their room for it to live until they're ready to let it go
- Create a scrapbook by sending favorite pieces to a service like DreamSakes & having it scanned {you can also have gift items created for loved ones here too!
- Recycle by asking the local senior center or assisted living if there are any folks who would appreciate some fun artwork for decoration
Most importantly, remember, success comes from the owner of the item determining the destination. Letting the student be in charge with the guidance of a good system will provide skills they'll utilize their entire lives.
Be sure to tune in next week when we dive into planning that family vacation!
Keepin' it Tidy,
April
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April Welch is the founder of Simply Organized Online, LLC and shares her organizational expertise on her blog, The Mental Clutter Coach. In addition to her company, she speaks at conferences nationwide and gives helpful advice on how to effectively organize anything and everything.
