Exercise ADHD, preparing his school bag

The forgotten exercise book at home, the pencil case left at school, the maths book nowhere to be found: forgetting equipment is common in children with ADHD. It earns them remarks, punishments and a great deal of stress in the morning. Here is a simple method, in a few steps, to help them prepare their school bag reliably.

Why he forgets

Preparing a school bag means thinking about the next day’s timetable, remembering what is needed for each lesson, and checking that nothing has been forgotten. These tasks draw on planning and working memory, which are often fragile in children with ADHD. He thinks of some things and forgets others. A toy or a conversation interrupts him in the middle. He closes his bag half-packed.

These forgetful moments are not carelessness. They reflect a difficulty with organisation. We can help him with tools and a routine. Little by little, he becomes more independent. The forgetting decreases. The school bag is covered on the page ADHD and school bag.

A list for each day

The basic tool is a list of the equipment needed for each day of the week, according to the timetable. Monday: French exercise book, maths book, pencil case, planner. We make it together with the child. We display it near his desk or inside his wardrobe. He checks it every evening.

For younger children, the list can be illustrated with photos of the objects. For older children, a written list is enough. It can also be stored on a phone, with an alarm. The child does not have to remember. He follows the list. The use of lists is developed on the page on getting organised with a list.

A colour code

Assigning a colour to each subject greatly helps organisation. French in red, maths in blue, English in green. The same colour is used for the exercise book, the exercise book cover, the wallet folder and the timetable box. The child sees at a glance what he needs to take. He no longer gets confused.

This colour code can be carried on at primary and secondary school. It becomes a stable landmark. The child gets used to it. He gets organised more quickly. He forgets less. The colour becomes his ally.

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The evening ritual

Preparing the school bag should become a ritual, at a fixed time, every evening. After homework, or before dinner. We empty the bag completely. We take out what is no longer needed. We put in what will be needed the next day, following the list. We close it.

At first, we do this ritual with the child. We guide him. We check together. Then we let him do it alone, checking from time to time. He gets into the habit. He becomes independent. The morning is calmer. Other everyday rituals are listed on the page ADHD and routines.

A simplified pencil case

A pencil case full of objects multiplies the risks of loss and distraction. We simplify it: one pencil, one pen in each necessary colour, a rubber, a pencil sharpener, a ruler, scissors, glue. No gadgets. No duplicates. The child finds his way around it.

We can make a list of the pencil case’s contents, stuck inside it. The child checks every evening that nothing is missing. He tops it up if needed. We keep a stock at home to quickly replace what is lost. We avoid morning dramas.

Allowing room for forgetting

Despite all these tools, the child will sometimes forget something. That is normal. We avoid dramatising. We look with him at what happened. We adjust the method if needed.

We can also plan backup solutions: a second copy of the books at home, if the school allows it, or access to digital textbooks. A locker at secondary school to leave certain items. These arrangements reduce the consequences of forgetting. The child is less stressed. For homework left at school, see the page ADHD and forgotten homework.

External support for getting organised

Difficulties with organisation are often worked on in behavioural therapy or ADHD coaching. The professional helps the child set up routines and suitable tools. They also help him maintain them over time. They advise parents. Progress in organisation often shows quickly.

To find a psychologist or coach who works on organisation, consult the directory ProfessionnelsDys and its search by commune. Follow-up can sometimes be done remotely, by video call. This makes follow-up easier for families who live far away. Morning preparation is covered on the page ADHD and morning preparation.