How to Organize Children's Clothes
Children's clothes range from the tiny newborn onesie to the clothing a 15 year old throws on the floor. But basic organization can help your child not only master the ability to dress themselves (eventually), but also help them know where things go so that they can (ideally) put their laundry away and be self sufficient in keeping their room clean. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Place folded items in drawers with clear labels. Write the labels for readers and draw pictures with words for non-readers. Folded clothes such as tops, skirts, shorts and sports clothing fit most easily into drawers. If you're building a nursery area, don't worry about pictures, but do label drawers so that you (or your partner) can find the right size clothing easily in your bleary, sleep-deprived state.
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Hang larger items. Jackets, dresses, pants (once a child is older than five), skirts and sweaters hang best. They are also most easily viewed from a hanger in a closet to help your child decide what to wear.
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Fold bulkier items and place them on shelves. Sweatshirts and larger sports gear fit most easily on a shelf. They're easily viewed and easily accessed by your child. Make sure that shelves are not too high for your child to reach, or provide a step stool if necessary.
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Put socks and undies together in a drawer. Your child is most likely to need those items together, so it's easiest to place them in the same drawer. For young girls, you can add tights to this drawer.
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Decide together where to put pajamas. Drawers are often the best place, but let your child have a say. It's the last item they'll need at the end of the day, so let them decide where to keep it. It can be a shelf or even a bedside table drawer. Just make sure it's accessible and clearly labeled for future use.
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Modify the closet and drawers as your child matures. What was once the ideal drawer for a four year old's leggings may not be the best drawer for your 10 year old's pants. Move them to hangers, or see what your child suggests. As your child gets older, she gets more say in managing her own closet and giving her the chance to have input increases her feeling of responsibility for keeping it tidy.
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Tips & Warnings
Labels don't need to be fancy, printed items. A simple piece of paper cut into thin strips and put in place with a piece of tape is just fine. Let your young reader write the labels himself.
