Supplies with lots of different colors and designs are the perfect way for your child to become distracted and unfocused, which leads to disorganization because it becomes harder to keep track of what belongs where. For each class, buy the same color notebook and folder, and any other supplies that might go along with it. For example, the color for history class will be red. Buy a red notebook, a red folder and red supplies. Math class will include a blue notebook, blue folders and blue supplies. This will help your child keep track of what supplies are needed for which class and will eliminate distractions.
Labeling everything is extremely beneficial for organization. Most children don't keep track of all of their belongings in the classroom. This problem is exacerbated in children with ADD. If your child puts her notebook down and it's not labeled, chances are it will be very hard to track down again. Putting large, decorative labels on all supplies will avoid this problem. Your child will be able to clearly spot which items are hers, and other children won't mistake other kids' supplies as their own.
When your child gets home and realizes he forgot the things he needed at school, he will not be able to focus properly on what he needs to do for homework. One strategy to avoid this issue is to call the teacher in advance and ask for a second set of textbooks to keep at home. One set of books will stay at school and one stays at home at all times, eliminating the "I forgot my book" problem.
As the school year goes on, things start to get lost. When your child has no more paper left, he won't be able to complete his work properly and will become easily distracted. Plan ahead and buy extra supplies like pens, markers and paper, and pack them away in a closet. When your child tells you he lost all his pens, pull out the extras from the closet. This simple technical success will help your child thrive in his daily school activities.
In addition to supplies in the classroom, organize school things at home. Hang up a white board to keep track of homework and reminders. This will enable your child to remember his responsibilities as well as upcoming, exciting events in school. Make sure your child's workspace isn't cluttered, and use one folder for completed homework and one for homework that is yet to be finished. Purchase a bin with dividers to keep markers, pencils and other supplies separate.