After the end of a long school week, is your child spending far too long fishing for items out of a messy backpack? With the help of the PACK system, turn that unorganized pack into a thing of the past.
PURGE: At the end of each week, re-evaluate the homework papers, books, projects, and other loose ends your child has accumulated. Toss, recycle, or store whatever’s no longer needed in the bag.
ACCESSORIZE: Keep necessities from floating about by attaching them to the backpack. Try a snap-on hand sanitizer, for instance, or a lip balm that comes with a keychain-style container.
CATEGORIZE: Designate certain pockets for particular items: larger pockets for books, a smaller one for homework folders, a small side pocket for pens and pencils. You can even label them if you need to help your kids keep track of what goes where.
KEEP IT UP: Motivate your child to stick to those good habits by making the weekly purge a family ritual. While he’s sorting his backpack, clean out your own workbag or purse.
MORE: Get a FREE printable backpack label
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