In partnership with Coachbit, a personalized study and life skills program for kids and teens backed by scientific research.
School can be challenging for children with ADHD. Tasks like getting ready in the morning, making sure their bags are packed, or completing homework can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help you support your child on their educational journey, we’ve found some essential tips for you to try!
Let’s learn five ways to create a positive and nurturing environment that will support your child’s learning, boost their confidence, and allow them to reach their full academic potential.
#1 Collaborate with teachers and school staff
To ensure your child has the best support system at school, it is essential to work closely with school teachers and staff. These discussions can begin before the school year starts, and it is recommended to touch base with your child's teacher at least once a month - whether in person, by phone, or by email.
But remember, teachers have many students and a lot on their plate. So be clear, calm, and concise.
Share information about your child's ADHD diagnosis, medication, history, and any specific challenges they may face, as each child’s experience with ADHD is unique. Together, develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 plan that outlines appropriate accommodations and support.
Remember, teachers see and interact with your child daily. Encourage them to share their observations and any information that may help you to better understand and help your child.
#2 Establish routines at home
Children with ADHD perceive time differently, meaning they often over- or underestimate how much time they need for a task. To support your child, consider introducing structured routines.
Establishing a consistent daily schedule for waking up, getting ready, eating meals, doing homework, relaxing, and bedtime is essential to help your child get everything they need done in the day. This sounds much easier said than done - we know!
Daily routines are easier to maintain if they are visible and accessible. So grab a large piece of paper, draw out a daily schedule with time slots for activities, and place it on the fridge or a common area in your home. This will create a shared responsibility in your household to stick to the daily routine!
When it comes to your child, consider setting up their routines in a checklist format. The satisfaction of ticking off a checklist item is a great motivator!
To help get you started, here is an example of a structured morning routine:
Get Ready Checklist!
7:00 am Wake up
7:05 am Make Bed
7:15 am Comb Hair
7:20 am Brush Teeth
Fun tip: Make it colorful and visible, and add a sense of urgency (use a timer).
#3. Set up a dedicated homework space
Homework and studying should be done at a dedicated distraction-free spot in the house. Distractions - like chatty family members and electronic devices should be cleared and out of view. Siblings should each be given their own space if possible.
For kids with ADHD, even a window can quickly become a distraction. Facing a wall can help keep their mind on their work. Should background noise be particularly distracting to your child, white noise or noise-canceling headphones can help drown out any background noise.
Most importantly - your child’s dedicated homework space should be consistent.
#4. Learn study skills
There are many practical skills and strategies to improve focus, organization, and time management in kids with ADHD. These skills can help them manage their workload, plan their weeks, handle their assignments, and prepare for tests.
These include breaking assignments and tasks into smaller steps, creating to-do lists, ADHD-specific note-taking techniques, and using color-coded folders for different subjects.
Most parents don’t have the time (or headspace) to teach their kids these helpful tools, and unfortunately, many schools don’t have the time or resources to either. Thankfully, game-changing tools are out there to give kids with ADHD the support they need - like Coachbit.
Coachbit is a mobile app made specifically for kids with ADHD, which can help your child keep track of their tasks with the support of a real-life coach that checks in with them daily, teaches them study skills, and keeps them accountable!
#5. Keep them moving!
Physical activity plays a crucial role in managing ADHD symptoms and improving focus. Encourage your child to engage in regular exercise or participate in sports activities. Unfortunately, many kids can be resistant and will get bored quickly- we encourage you to think out of the box! Try hiking, rock climbing, hula-hooping, yoga, or even just going for a walk!
Moving the body helps release excess energy, reduces restlessness, and improves overall well-being.
Regular bouts of movement are also beneficial during periods of focus - like homework or studying. In fact, short study breaks are essential for sustained attention. These study breaks should be structured, for instance, a 10-minute break for every 25 minutes of studying.
A helpful way to implement this is to use a timer. For kids with ADHD, who struggle with time perception, having a visual countdown of the timer provides a tangible representation of time passing - and how much longer they have to work for!
The Coachbit App has an in-built Focus-Timer, designed to facilitate homework time for kids with ADHD.
Top tip: Study breaks should not be spent on electronic devices but on movement, snacks, and fresh air!
Conclusion
Supporting your child with ADHD in their educational journey requires a lot of patience and a proactive approach. Each child is unique, and these strategies should be tailored according to their specific needs.
Above all, your child needs consistency, support, and appropriate study skills to succeed in school. With your love, support, and these practical tips, they are bound to reach their full potential with confidence.
Brought to you by Coachbit
Coachbit delivers a personalized study and life skills program for teens and kids, backed by scientific research and delivered through the Coachbit mobile app (iOS/Android).
Short daily interactive coaching sessions with an expert (and friendly) coach via the Coachbit app keep kids accountable and on track to creating positive habits and core skills that last. We help families prepare their kids for life!
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