Expert Tips to Organize Your Home for Fall By Our Town Gwinnett Staff From the walk-in closet to the kitchen pantry, catch-all spots make all the difference in daily routines – but only if they’re kept neat. Family organizing expert Jessica Litman, also known as “The Organized Mama,” is on a mission to help families declutter and stay organized. She’s sharing her pro tips for getting your home in shape for this busy time of year. Clear Away Cabinet Clutter: ‘Tis the season for autumn chili, stew, and other comfort foods. That means it’s also time to put your essential slow cookers and pans where you can reach them so that food prep will be hassle-free. “When the weather starts to cool, I swap out summer cookware for winter bakeware,” says Litman. “I put the grilling items in the back of the cabinet and pull the turkey roaster and baking dishes to the front.” For added storage, Litman recommends using a shelf rack or vertical organizer to keep cutting boards and pie pans easily accessible. Prep the Pantry: Create a system that gives grab-and-go snacks and cooking necessities a home. This will help keep the kitchen tidy amid busy work and school schedules. “Do a pantry cleanout,” Litman says. “Remove everything from the area and wipe down the shelves. Take the canned goods you didn’t eat and donate them to a local food bank.” Use a combination shelf liner and new containers to restore order to the space. Measure the shelves, cut the liner to length, and then lay it flat. The shelf liner is durable, waterproof, and designed to keep surfaces dry, while making them easy to wipe clean. Use the measurements to determine what size bins will best fit the area. Store crackers, cereal, oats, and
Learning Lessons: Helping Young Children Understand Differences By Tanisha Turner Does it ever seem like “why?” is your child’s favorite word? It’s completely natural for children to ask a lot of questions, and young children are particularly curious about differences – why another child’s skin is lighter or darker than their own, or why some people speak another language. As children notice these differences, talking openly about them and encouraging acceptance will help them develop an appreciation and respect for others. Young children learn about differences through a two-step process. First, they must learn to recognize the traits and customs that make them unique. Then, with a little guidance, children will be able to recognize and embrace what makes others special. Following are five at-home activities to help children understand and appreciate differences. • Share Your Family History. Show pictures of family members and talk about each person. Children love and remember stories, so share a favorite story or something you remember about each person. This builds your child’s awareness of family history and culture. • Create a Self-Portrait. An art project is a fun way to help children
October 2023 Our Town Gwinnett
pasta in clear labeled containers, and put spices and seasonings in a slim organizer. “Set up items similarly to grocery store shelves by placing like items together,” Litman suggests. “When you do this, it’s like you are shopping in your pantry instead of hunting for things.” Out with the Old: Before pulling out your fall wardrobe, declutter the piles of “stuff” from the closet. This will make your space seem more extensive and more organized. “Remove clothes from this past season,” Litman recommends. “Look through each garment. If you didn’t wear it, donate, toss, or sell it.” Now that there is more room, hang an over-the-door shoe rack for rain boots and work shoes and use a closet organizer to store accessories, such as belts, purses, and scarves. Litman also recommends dry cleaning winter jackets now, so they’re ready to wear when cold weather comes. Find Balance in the Bathroom: Whether it’s the primary bath or the kids’ washroom, make the most of your space by organizing everything into different categories, like towels and haircare. Once everything is grouped, you can decide what will be kept based on the available areas. Use a tray on the counter and bins in pullout drawers. Litman says to wipe and line surfaces, especially under the sink, before putting essentials away. Antimicrobial agents inhibit mold and mildew growth to protect the liner and will catch makeup smudges and water spills to give the area an extra clean feeling. She also recommends waiting until after the organizing process to buy bins and caddies so you know exactly what you need. Once these organizing projects are complete, your home will be ready for all the fun fall festivities and family gatherings. (StatePoint) understand their unique traits. As you point out different physical features, like hair length and eye color, ask your child to draw him or herself accordingly. Afterward, ask your child to draw his or her best friend or a family member, asking similar questions about the person’s appearance. Have your child name a few similarities and differences between the two drawings. • Listen to Music. Play music from your family’s country of origin or your region of the United States, and share favorite songs you sang as a child. Then play music from other cultures or parts of the country and ask your child to identify the similarities and differences. • Read a Book. Reading to children is one of the best ways to introduce them to people of different origins worldwide. Characters and storylines are great starting points for discussions on diversity, so look for books that have characters that your child can identify with, even though they may have different appearances or customs. Some suggestions include It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr (ages 4-7) and The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane Derolf (ages 4-7). • Think Outside the Box. Look for opportunities for your child to interact with children from different countries and cultures. Visit museums, festivals, ethnic restaurants, and other places that will help your child learn about various customs and cultures firsthand. One of the best ways to help young children understand and embrace all forms of diversity is to speak openly and honestly about the differences between people. When your child points out someone who is different or as you’re doing the above activities together, don’t shy away from the topic and remind him or her that appearances have nothing to do with what’s on the inside. With a little guidance, your preschooler will grow into a kind, accepting person who understands that diversity makes the world a better place. Tanisha Turner is Owner of Primrose School at Sugarloaf Parkway. More information at www.PrimroseSugarloafParkway.com or 770-5130066
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