Getting in Gear: Classroom Organization as a Means of Calm
This episode of the Mindful Turtle Podcast originally aired December 8, 2024. To receive podcast updates and other nature-based early childhood education news, subscribe to Samara Early Learning’s weekly newsletter written by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore.
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In this episode of the Mindful Turtle, Rachel suggests that a simple 10-minute organization task can significantly impact both teacher and student well-being during this hectic season.
This week’s invitation is to spend 10 minutes organizing your outdoor gear. Pair the mittens and boots, sort items by size and take stock of the items your program needs.
A thoughtfully organized space does more than just tidy up the physical environment—it creates mental clarity for both teachers and children. Picture a cold winter morning when a child needs dry mittens: the difference between knowing exactly where to find them and frantically searching through jumbled bins can set the tone for the entire day. This simple act of organization helps prevent both teachers and children from becoming dysregulated during an already demanding time of year.
Well-organized gear storage also streamlines outdoor transitions, making these potentially chaotic moments flow more smoothly. Children gain independence when they can easily locate their belongings, while teachers can focus on supporting students rather than hunting for missing items.
The process of organizing serves another valuable purpose: it becomes a natural audit of your classroom's needs. As you sort through winter gear, you might notice you needs more hats, raincoats or snow boots in a specific size.
