Need advice or coping aid.

[higgledy]

My son (8 year old) has difficulty remembering to either bring ALL of his homeowork home or he forgets to return to school with ALL his completed homework.

His teacher has a colored folder for each subject, and each folder contains the evening's assignment.

My son is constantly forgeting one or more of his folders either at school, or at home, or both.

We have tried punishing him by taking away privlages like TV, computer, bike, scooter, etc. Those work for the short-term but two weeks later we are back to square one.

Does anyone have an idea how I can get my son to intrinsically remmeber all of his folders?

Thank you

Higgledy

[MyGuysMom]

Although the color-coded folders is a nice idea, I can imagine that remembering them all could be a problem for any child, let alone one with ADD. I think it would be better if all the work were collected in one place. Even if the teacher wants to keep each subject in a separate folder, maybe s/he could put them all in one thing to transport home and back. For example, my son's teacher puts their homework in a zippered pouch. That is what she does for all kids; my daughter had her two years ago and that was her procedure then.

[higgledy]

I understand what you are saying but the teacher claims she pretty much stands over him (and all the kids) while they pack their backpack. This is a small class of 11 kids.
Also, I don't want my son to stand out (that is the last thing I would let happen) I need to find some system that works for my son.

[stef]

maybe one big "accordeon type folder" to hold the others; and on the front of that a checklist of the different colors. - it sounds a little overwhelming. I color code things but I choose the colors - i would have trouble with too many folders.

[higgledy]

We are not talking a dozen folders, just 4 or 5 folders.

I was thinking of creating a fabric label attach to the outside of his backpack. On the label I'd have a color dot (matching the folder color). To the right of the dot, I'd spell-out the folder title.

I am thinking this will be an always present checklist of what needs to be in his backpack. If his assignments GET into the folders is another story. LOL!

What do you all think?

[Vickie]

In the 4th grade, my daughter's RSP teacher made colored pocket folders for each subject, but put them all in a 3-ring binder so it was one item to remember to bring home. The left pocket was unfinished work and when finished, it was moved to the right pocket. The teacher made sure all the homework was in the left pockets, and at home we made sure it was done and moved to the right pocket.

This was part of a behavior plan set up as part of her IEP. She had 5 behaviors that we were working on including doing class work, paying attention/participating in class, bringing home the homework, completing it and turning it in. We had a check off sheet and if the teacher marked 3 out of 5 of the behaviors, she got a small reward (tv or game time or tokens[$]) with a slightly larger reward on the weekend if she did good 3 out of 5 days. As she got better at things, we increased the number to 4 out of 5. Now, as she has matured to 13, we just have simple rules that she gets free time when the work is done; and as long as she keeps up in school (we check on-line) she gets to stay up 1/2 hour later (her favorite thing to do).

[Turbochica]

Just a thought why not offer him a perk or reward for bringing his folders home. I know that rewards rather then punishments work better for my daughter. set a goal that for every time he brings a folder home he earns ____whatever__ and then double it or triple it if he brings all the folders home. Maybe its a prize form a prize box - things gotten fromt he dollar store - or fill out a chart when its done oyu get to have a movie night. I know one son that earned being able to throw water balloons at his Dad - funniee but it worked

I know that perks can be fun to earn and I think woudl gie a postive goal to achieve rather then a punishment to avoid

[Turbochica]

How ever many folders they are this ssytem shoudl make it easier for him not more work to bring them home therefore maybe a change to how this happens to work something that he can manage woudl be in order?

Originally Posted by higgledy

We are not talking a dozen folders, just 4 or 5 folders.

I was thinking of creating a fabric label attach to the outside of his backpack. On the label I'd have a color dot (matching the folder color). To the right of the dot, I'd spell-out the folder title.

I am thinking this will be an always present checklist of what needs to be in his backpack. If his assignments GET into the folders is another story. LOL!

What do you all think?

[Momofadder]

You can buy a trapper with rings in it, accordian file, pocket for pencils ect. It is a great tool. Even my daughter in college uses it. Everything is in one place. It zips shut and even has a shoulder strap. They cost around 15 dollars and are a great tool for organization.

On the other note....in my experience punishment does not help improve memory in this type of child, but praise seems to help them want to do more. It seems to be real important to them to please. Just an FYI.

Good luck.

There are many books to read on how to help them organize. Check out amazon. If you do a search many will pop up.

[MyGuysMom]

Except for a few born organized people, organization is a skill. My daughter (non-ADD) is in 5th grade and they were issued accordian-folders at the beginning of the year. After a few weeks, we realized that she was just shoving stuff in there, and then could not find it. We had to sit her down and explain that one pocket should for work to be done, one for completed work, one for papers she needs to give us, etc. She's a bright kids, but these seemingly simple ideas never entered her head. Even now, unless we go over with her periodically it all degenerates into a mess again.