Your Ultimate Guide to Preserving Your Child's School Year Memories
Discover practical tips for preserving your child's school memories without the clutter. Learn how to selectively keep, photograph, and organize artwork and school projects efficiently.
As parents, we're often caught between the desire to preserve every precious moment of our children's lives and the practical need to avoid clutter. Those endless stacks of school artwork and worksheets can quickly become overwhelming. If you've ever wondered what to do with all those creations your child brings home, this guide is for you. Here, I share my personal system for memory keeping that captures the essence of those years without filling your home with clutter.
From a young age, I was drawn to memory keeping, using planners and organizers not just for schedules but to store photographs and notes that captured my life at that moment. My passion for preserving memories only grew stronger when my children were born, evolving into a tradition of creating family yearbooks annually.
However, as my children grew and started school, the influx of their artwork and school projects brought a new challenge. The volume of items they created was immense, and while each piece was a treasure, keeping them all was impractical. I needed a system that allowed me to preserve these memories without living in a sea of paper.
My Clutter-Free System for Memory Keeping
To manage the overflow of schoolwork and art, I've developed a straightforward process that helps me decide what to keep, what to photograph, and what to let go.
1. Gather
Initially, I gather all the artworks and papers in a large plastic box. Once the box fills up or the school year ends, sorting time begins.
2. Sort
I create three piles: keep, photograph, and discard.
Keep
Choosing what to keep can be tough. I start with a larger pile and then whittle it down to about 4-5 key pieces per academic year. Remember, keeping five pieces per year means ending up with 90 pieces over 18 years of schooling. It’s about finding that magic number that feels right and sticking to it.
Photograph
The photograph pile is usually the largest. These are items that are nice to remember but don’t need to physically stay with us. I dedicate a day to photograph or scan these items under good lighting conditions to ensure they’re well-preserved digitally.
Tips for Photographing Your Child’s Artwork:
Opt for a cloudy day to avoid harsh shadows.
Use natural, indirect light near a window.
Set up a plain white background to avoid distractions.
Discard
The discard pile includes everything that doesn’t make the cut to be kept or photographed. It’s essential to be decisive during this stage to truly minimize clutter.
Special Projects: Preschool and School Year Memory Books
The Preschool Years: For nursery and preschool years, I compile photographs of weekly projects into simple digital layouts using the Project Life app. These are then printed into a memory book. Although I haven't completed the latest book yet, this method promises a compact yet comprehensive keepsake.
The School Years: As my children progress through school, I plan to create a yearly memory book compiling updates and photos provided by the school. This memory book will be a cherished item for my children to reflect on their school days.
If the idea of creating digital memory books appeals to you but seems daunting, I offer a service to help craft these precious keepsakes. Feel free to reach out through my contact form for more information.
Getting Started with Preserving Your Child’s Artwork and Memories
Beginning the process of organising your child's school memories can feel daunting, but starting is often the hardest part. Here are practical tips to help you dive in and begin transforming piles of papers into cherished memories:
1. Set a Date and Time
Mark a specific date and time on your calendar dedicated to sorting your child's artwork and school papers. Treat this appointment as you would any other important event — it is non-negotiable and essential.
2. Create Your Workspace
Choose a comfortable and spacious area in your home where you can spread out the artwork and categorize it without constraints. Ensure this space has good lighting, especially if you plan to photograph artwork.
3. Gather Supplies
Before you start, gather all necessary supplies:
Storage bins or boxes for sorting
A good quality camera or smartphone for taking photos
Large white poster board for photograph backgrounds
Labels or markers for organising
Trash bags for discarded items
4. Involve Your Child
Depending on their age, involving your child in the sorting process can be beneficial. They can help decide what to keep, which can be a fun trip down memory lane and a learning experience about letting go.
5. Sort with a System
Divide the work into manageable segments:
Review: Quickly review everything, discarding obvious non-keepers like blurry photos, duplicates, or irrelevant papers.
Categorize: Use the three-pile system: keep, photograph, discard. Be decisive to prevent clutter from creeping back.
Document: Photograph or scan items in the photograph pile and organize digital files with clear labels and dates.
6. Maintain the System
Once you've sorted through the backlog, set up a manageable system moving forward. Dedicate a box or folder where your child can place new artwork or school papers. Schedule regular sorting sessions quarterly or at the end of each school year to keep on top of things.
7. Celebrate and Share
Once you’ve organised and perhaps created a digital or printed memory book, share this accomplishment with your family. Viewing the memory book together can be a rewarding experience that celebrates your child’s creativity and milestones.
Sorting through your child's school artwork and memories doesn't just clear physical space—it can be a meaningful journey through their growth and achievements. By taking the first step today, you’ll not only reduce clutter but also preserve these precious moments in a way that honours their significance. Start small, be consistent, and remember that each piece of paper reflects a part of your child’s journey. Let's cherish these memories in a way that brings joy instead of stress.