Helping Students Stay Organized and Focused: Back-to-School Strategies from Understood.Org

It’s that time again! The days are getting shorter and the air is getting crisp. Back-to-School season is officially here! Our kids are looking forward to meeting their new teachers and seeing their friends. We smile as we picture them walking out the door on time with their neatly-organized back packs on their backs. Then reality hits. Within days your child’s backpack and desk are a mess, homework assignments are missing, books are forgotten, and getting out the door each day is a mad scramble.

The beginning of a new school year can be an especially challenging time for families with children who struggle with reading and writing, math, organization and focus. Did you know that one in five children in the U.S. have learning and attention issues, like ADHD and dyslexia? Children with these types of challenges – many of whom have never been formally diagnosed – can feel especially stressed during the back-to-school season as they face new subjects, teachers and schools.

The Ad Council and Understood.org have partnered to promote ways children and their families can be “First-Day Ready” for the school year. Understood.org is offering a free First-Day Ready Guide to help parents with students at every age successfully manage back-to-school transitions. Understood.org is a free, easy-to-use online resource and community designed to support parents and caregivers of children with learning and attention issues. "It's important to keep in mind that all kids learn in different ways and at different paces,” says Kevin Hager, managing director of Understood.org. “With the right support, kids with learning and attention issues can thrive in school and in life."

Check out these back-to-school tips from the Understood.org website.

• If your child’s messy backpack needs a makeover, watch this video to find out how to get organized and stay organized. See how to use color-coding and a backpack checklist to help your child keep track of homework and other important items.

• Planning early is important to help relieve stress. Creating structure and routine around the start of the new school year—with checklists, calendars and other organization systems— helps prepare kids for class expectations. Helpful tools include a Back-to-School Countdown Planner, and sample Homework Contract.

• You can also take your child on a school tour to help ease fears by showing them how to find their classroom, nearby bathrooms, the cafeteria and other important places the first week of school. This can be a huge stress relief whether the child is new to the school or not. Just knowing where to go can help them feel more comfortable.

• Connecting with your child’s teacher early on benefits everyone and creates a great starting point for the new year. This will give you an opportunity to share your child’s needs or learning style while expressing your support for the teacher and the challenges he/she may be facing with a new classroom full of students. You will help create an atmosphere of cooperation while speaking up for your child and his or her challenges.

• Finally, get support! Many parents and students are going through the same experience. Understood.org and Understood’s Facebook page connect parents across the country to share information and learn from each other. You can also ask around your community and school to find other parents you can connect with.

So, no matter your child’s age or needs, make this Back-to-School season a seamless transition and positive experience! If you could use some help getting started on the right foot this school year, Understood.org is a great place to start.