Believe it or not, some kids relish organization! Preparing their materials for the start of a new school year can feel exciting and fun to students who are reassured by order, predictability, and clarity. However, to other kids, organization can seem boring or thoroughly overwhelming. For students who find it daunting to keep track of details and gauge how long various tasks might take, procrastination and avoidance often become coping mechanisms for tamping down the anxiety of feeling under water.

At Smart City Kids, we are hearing from educators of all age groups that children are struggling more than ever to develop these organization skills, known formally as “executive function skills.” A myriad of potential causes, from social media distraction to changes in how assignments are structured through platforms like Google Classroom, all appear to be having an impact. Yet these skills remain some of the most important long-term skills for students to develop. Executive function is critical to everything from managing day-to-day tasks to accomplishing big goals. 

While it’s never too late to begin working on challenges with executive function, it’s always more overwhelming to try to get organized once systems have fallen apart and deadlines are looming. So, the beginning of the school year is an ideal time to get off on the right foot and help your child put structures in place that they can rely on and refine throughout the year. (This is especially important if your child will also be managing all the deadlines of a school application process this fall, such as student essays, test preparation, and interviews.) 

Top Tips for a Calm, Organized Start to School

• Agree on an organizational system for staying on top of school work and deadlines that your child can manage with as much independence as possible. For some students, entering assignments and blocking out study time in Google Calendar is the most streamlined approach. You can help them set notifications and schedule micro-deadlines for big projects in advance. You can also have your child share the calendar with you, but keep in mind that the primary purpose is to build their independence in managing their own time. For some students, another digital tool only adds to their distractibility. There’s also evidence that handwriting helps with memory. So don’t discount the value of old-school paper planners. The most important thing is to choose the approach that your child will be most likely to sustain.
• Make a plan for regular check-in times to go over deadlines and organizational steps. Kids get understandably irritated when adults are constantly peppering them with questions and reminders. Additionally, this does not help them develop their ability to self-organize and self-monitor — the keys to executive function! Planning a regular check-in time allows you to provide scaffolding, without creating more tension in your relationship, and helps them build independence. Younger children may need more frequent check-ins, perhaps after school each day or first thing in the morning. Older students should be able to handle more spaced out touchpoints, such as weekly or bi-weekly.
• If a system isn’t working, change it! While it’s good to set systems up early, sometimes the approach you think will be helpful doesn’t turn out to be sustainable. The point of organizational systems is to support work-load management and reduce stress and cognitive overwhelm. If the systems become just one more added stress point, it’s time to take a step back and consider a different approach.

Children want to be successful, and staying organized generally feels better. So they often just need a little extra guidance and calm communication to get the year off to a positive start and keep the organization going. However, for some children (and adults), organization is much harder. If you are finding that organization often leads to major meltdowns for your child, missed deadlines, or increased family stress, it may be beneficial to get more help. Our experienced tutors offer executive function coaching, and we are always happy to discuss your child’s needs and support you in finding the best path forward.

Schedule a time to talk.

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