Clean Room, Clear Mind

Organized spaces set the stage for better Executive Functioning. Our brains have limited working memory, and only so much space to juggle tasks, emotions, and information. When our environments are cluttered this further decreases capacity, and can result in overwhelm, procrastination, and frustration. When visual clutter is reduced, it creates a more productive workspace.

But sometimes our children can struggle to keep their rooms clean. Often, this can be because they think that the tidying process will take hours so they avoid starting. And, most tweens and teens have never actually been taught how to organize in a structured way…so they either randomly move things around or shove everything into a corner - and then feel defeated when it still looks and feels disorganized.

The S.P.A.C.E. method can be used to teach organizing in a structured way. When applied for just 10 minutes twice weekly, we can start to see big shifts in organization.

SPACE for organizing

Step 1: Organize their room into zones. For example:

• Sleeping zone

• Dressing zone

• Studying/Working zone

Step 2: Sort the items that are alike in each zone (books, clothes, papers, pencils, etc.).

Step 3: Pick out/prioritize what to keep (upcoming homework assignments) and what to discard (dried-out highlighters).

Step 4: Assign a designated home for each item (bookshelf, closet, folder, desk drawer, etc.).

Step 5: Containerize – Use folders, pouches, cases, and baskets to keep like items together.

Step 6: Evaluate – How is this system working for you? Adjust as needed.

Learning to create and maintain organized spaces is about more than just keeping a clean room. It’s about training the brain to think systematically, make decisions, and manage time effectively. These are foundational EF skills your child will use for life.

Start small, just 10 minutes twice a week, and celebrate progress, not perfection. Over time, you’ll notice the shift not just in their space, but in their mindset.

Here’s to helping your tween or teen create both a clean space and a clear mind, one small step at a time.