Weekly Wins 19: Getting Kids with ADHD Ready for School Everyday!

Mornings can be a whirlwind, and sometimes a nightmare, especially for families with children affected by ADHD. The challenges of getting an ADHD child ready for school can seem really frustrating, but with the right strategies, it becomes an opportunity to instil routines, promote independence, and set a positive tone for the day.

Below are 10 practical tips to streamline the morning routine, making it more manageable for both parents and children. These strategies are designed to provide structure, foster a sense of accomplishment, and create an environment conducive to success.

Establish a Consistent Routine:
Create a predictable morning routine with set times for waking up, getting dressed, and having breakfast. Consistency helps ADHD children know what to expect.

Prepare the Night Before:
Lay out clothes, pack the backpack, and ensure all necessary items like books and completed homework are ready the night before to reduce morning stress.

Use Visual Timers:
Utilise visual timers to help your child understand and manage time. Countdowns and visual cues can make transitions smoother.

Break Tasks into Small Steps:
Divide morning tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This helps ADHD children focus on one task at a time, making the process less overwhelming.

Provide Clear Instructions:
Offer clear and concise instructions. ADHD children often benefit from explicit guidance to understand expectations.  In fact my child has even said to me, “Mum, please just say one instruction at a time or I feel like you want me to do it all at once!”  (How awesome is that verbalisation!)

Create a Reward System:
Implement a positive reinforcement system for completing morning tasks. Rewards can motivate and make the routine more enjoyable.

Use a Visual Schedule:
Implement a visual schedule that outlines each step of the morning routine. Visual cues help ADHD children stay on track and understand the sequence of tasks.  You could get your child to draw the pictures, so they have some input and accountability.

Incorporate Movement Breaks:
Allow short breaks for movement or sensory activities. Incorporating physical activity can help release excess energy and improve focus.  For example, put on your shirt and then do 5 star jumps.

Prioritise Sleep:
Ensure your child gets enough sleep by establishing a consistent bedtime routine. A well-rested child is more likely to face the morning routine with greater focus and readiness.  This sounds obvious, but ADHDers are notorious for poor QUALITY sleep, despite potentially being ‘in bed’ for an adequate time, the quality of sleep can be very poor.

Celebrate Small Wins:
Acknowledge and celebrate small victories in the morning routine. Positive reinforcement and encouragement go a long way in fostering a positive attitude towards getting ready for school.

Some mornings will go well, others will be a diabolical mess, and others will be somewhere in between, but it's essential to remember that small changes can yield significant results. Establishing routines, and incorporating visual aids empower these children to face the day with confidence. By celebrating their victories, and acknowledging their efforts we can transform the morning routine from a potential stressor into an opportunity for growth and positive connection. With patience, consistency, and a focus on creating a supportive environment, we can help our ADHD children thrive in their morning preparations and set the stage for a successful day at school.

One of my most enjoyable parts of the day can be chaperoning my child getting them ready in the morning, whilst they get ready, we chat, I help them make their bed, help them button up their shirt, and this collaborative approach means they have an accountability buddy to help them get the boring executive functioning challenging tasks done, and winner for me, their rooms get tidy too!!

How are your mornings?? 

Much love,

Alison xx