Today's children have the overflowing paperwork and bulging day planners of pintsized CEOs. And organizing those activities and assignments takes capable assistants: mom and dad.

"Without parental intervention, virtually all elementary school children, and many middle and high school youths, will be unable to manage the flow of information from school to home and back again," said Dr. Anne Rambo, associate professor of family therapy at Nova Southeastern University in Florida and author of the book, "I Know My Child Can Do Better!"

Institute a daily backpackunpacking ritual, she advises. Sit down with the child after school and sort through all the contents, putting them in one of six piles: trash, supplies, books, things to keep such as graded papers, longterm assignments such as instructions for a book report due next month, and shortterm assignments such as homework due the next day.

"After you've thrown out the trash, put the books back, and saved what you wanted to keep, you're left with shortand long-term assignments. Designate a folder that returns to school, for homework, permission slips and everything else that should go back the next day," Rambo said.

Keep a second folder for long-term projects at home. "Assignment sheets for reports due later, information about upcoming field trips, and the like stay in this folder," said Rambo.

"Organization is a skill your child needs for future academic success," Rambo said. "A teacher doesn't have time to teach your child this. The task is up to you."

This story is provided by State Point Media.