• An organized desk can help your child concentrate on his work.vacation study 6 image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Children's desks come in all shapes and sizes. Your child's workspace might be a sleek "tabletop" on legs, with no storage underneath, or a small wooden desk with two drawers. The design does not matter as long as the surface area is large enough for your child's needs. Although your child's desk supplies and decorating style may change as she gets older, the fundamental organizational tips apply whether she is entering kindergarten or preparing to graduate from high school.
  
  

Stock up on Supplies

• If your child is in preschool or the early elementary grades, his supplies might include crayons, markers, construction paper and scissors. As he gets older, you might add items such as tape, pencils and pens, pencil sharpeners, erasers, a hole punch, stapler and lined paper. Having all the needed supplies on hand will make it easier for your child to complete his "work," whether it is a simple drawing of his favorite animal or an important school project.
  
  

Use Snazzy Storage Containers

• Decorative storage boxes with lids can hold your child's coloring books, spelling workbooks and favorite drawings. Colorful cups or small baskets are perfect for crayons and markers. Let your child pick out storage bins in her favorite colors, then teach her how to keep everything "in its place."
  
  

Clear the Clutter

• Your child will not be able to use his desk if it is cluttered, so minimize the amount of "stuff" that is kept on the work surface. Adding a piece of clear Plexiglas to the top of the desk allows your child to keep favorite photos or drawings in sight, but out of the way. Help younger kids clear off their desks every week until they learn how to do it themselves. Once or twice a year, go through all the drawers and shelves. If you make it fun, your child will enjoy looking through his drawings and notes from when he "was little," even if that was just a few months ago. Let him keep his favorites.
  
  

Maximize Surrounding Space

• One way to keep the desk surface clear is to use the area surrounding the desk to store necessary items. Attach a bulletin board above the desk to display a calendar, favorite photos and important reminders. Hang a small storage rack--such as a CD holder--on one side of the desk for crayons, markers and other supplies. Hang a larger rack on the other side to hold magazines, file folders and school binders. If your child's desk does not have drawers, add a rolling cart with drawers underneath the desktop.