Organizing your child's life: Tiny booklet offers secrets to successful education

MAT-SU -- Again and again, teachers and educators remind parents that a successful education for their child begins at home.

At the beginning of the current school year, the Mat-Su Borough School District hosted a day-long parent involvement conference to help equip parents with the at-home skills necessary to prepare children for school. Oftentimes, however, overworked parents run out of time and energy to successfully manage their child's work and studies at home.

Some parents are naturally organized, both at home and work, and providing organization for their child comes naturally. For others, however, organization is a challenge.

Two years ago, after raising her own kids and running a professional organizing business for several years, Kathleen Sigler, of Pittsford, N.Y., decided to write a practical, easy-to-read booklet for those parents who needed a little extra guidance providing an organized home life for their kids.

With an educational background in English and secondary education, Sigler spent many years working and volunteering in schools.

"I noticed that a lot of parents are very caught up in their own life but at the same time they want their kids to succeed," Sigler said. "The problem is that many parents don't naturally come by the skill of organization."

Sigler said she noticed that when she was organized at home, her kids had a stronger base to succeed in their homework.

"As I got older, I was encouraged to start a professional organizing business," Sigler said. "So I took the principles from the organizing business and applied them to education."

The end result was a 15-page booklet entitled, "Secrets To A Smooth School Year." The bullet-format booklet covers everything from homework management to proper nutrition to school supplies that should be stocked at home.

What began as a local publication for New York state schools recently turned national, when Sigler began distributing her booklet beyond that state's borders.

"These days, people everywhere want soundbite information," Sigler said. "They don't want to wade through paragraphs and do research, and you can read this booklet when you're on the go."

Sigler admits that the book is not a ground-breaking idea but more of a practical, how-to guide for parents.

Under the homework section, Sigler offers advice on establishing a regular homework area as well as a regular homework time. She also suggests that parents stock 31 essential items at home, including: a basic grammar book, globe, three-hole punch, thesaurus and a host of other school supplies.

During the summer, she recommends that parents use household chores such as cooking, organizing photographs, grocery shopping and letter writing to enforce skills that are necessary for school.

"Parents sometimes assume that the school will help their kids move through the school year, but it doesn't work that way -- it's a partnership," Sigler said. "This is not brain surgery, this is very common-sense stuff that just might not have occurred to parents."

To purchase a booklet, contact Sigler at (585) 586-1380 or online at www.simpleorganizing.com.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.