There are tons of different ways to stay organized, and it will greatly depend on your child’s invidual personality as well as their age and grade level. What works for a second grader for example may or may not work so well for a high school student.

Below are some of our favorite organizational tips for helping kids at school to stay on task and focused:

Color Code System: It will depend on your child’s age and grade level, but a color code system for different school subjects can help. This is especially helpful for middle school and high school students, who may have a different teacher for each subject. Coordinating book covers with folders can be a great way to remember what is needed for each class. Some parents may use an accordion style folder in conjunction with this method for handling multiple teachers and classes.

Homework Journal/Folder: A calendar notebook with pockets is an excellent way to keep track of homework assignments. Have the child write down the assignments in the notebook, and if there is a corresponding worksheet or directions they can place it in the folder. They can then put the homework in the folder when they are finished to ensure it is always in the same place to turn it in the next day.

An Extra Set of Books: It’s not uncommon for students to forget books at school or at home. Requesting an extra set of books is something you can do through your child’s IEP or Section 504 plan to help you make sure that your child will always have the materials he or she needs.

Pack for School the Night Before: Having a routine where you get everything ready for school the night before can be a huge help in dealing with the usual hustle and bustle of morning activities. Make sure your child has his or her homework, lunch, clothes, jacket, and anything else they might need ready to go in one spot.

Remember Less is More: The more simple everything is, the easier it will be for you, your child’s teacher and most importantly your child. Having too many folders, notebooks, binders, and other items can make it difficult for anyone to keep track of what is going on. Reducing the amount of unnecessary papers and other items can help make it easier for everyone.

Organize Pens, Pencils, Etc: Chances are your child will need pens, pencils, and other basic school supplies. Some notebooks have organizers that can hold all of these items in one place, or for some children a pencil box or case may be more suitable.

Do you have any other tips for helping your ADHD child be more organized at school? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!