What Parents Can Do to Help Their Children Get Organized
Is your ADHD child always running late, losing schoolwork, can't find what he needs for homework? Use this checklist to help your child get organized.
By: Sandra F. Rief, M.A.
In this article, you will find:
Helping to Organize Your Child's Work Space and Materials
Helping with Time Management and Awareness
Other Ways Parents Can Help
Helping with Time Management and Awareness
- Teach your child how to tell time and read a non-digital clock.
- Teach your child how to read calendars and schedules.
- Assist your child with prioritization of activities and workload.
- Give your child advance notice whenever possible.
- Help your child break down longer assignments into smaller, manageable increments.
- Pay close attention to due dates. Post the project requirements. With your child, record on a master calendar the due date of the final project and plan when to do the steps along the way (i.e., going to the library, getting resources and materials). Ask the teacher for feedback. Don't assume your child is working on projects at school, even if he is given some time in class to do it. Avoid procrastination and last-minute scrambling to complete projects.
- Expect your child to record assignments (see the teacher for help) and monitor that this is being done. Ask to see her assignment calendars/sheets every day.
- Teach your child to use "things to do" lists (writing down and then crossing out accomplished tasks).
- Help your child to plan a "things to do" list when he comes home from school scheduling for the evening, and estimating together how long each assignment/activity should take.
- Help with preparing and following schedules.
- Set a schedule for homework. Some children like to come home and immediately get part or all of their homework done and out of the way. Others need a break before tackling any homework. Working together, plan a schedule or time for homework that your child can follow as consistently as possible.
- Post a master calendar or wall chart for important events and activities. Remember to refer to it often.
- Help transfer important extracurricular activities/scheduling onto your child's personal calendar/planner.
- Get your child a watch to wear and an accurate clock for her room. A watch that has an alarm set is very helpful, especially if she takes medication and needs to go to the nurse's office during school.
- Consider "no phone call" times in the evening.