Organization Skills
Written by:
Kelly Satran, BA (Honours), BEd, MEd, MSc, OCT
| April 2026
Many of us, myself included, aspire to be more organized in our lives, and there’s an entire industry that works to convince us that they can help us better manage our stuff (hello, Marie Kondo).
Many children, especially those with ADHD, also struggle with organizational skills. It can be challenging to live with constant refrains of I can’t find my homework or where’s my other soccer shoe/favourite stuffed animal/Presto card? But with these children, it’s not about being messy or careless — it’s about learning a skill that helps the brain manage things, time, and tasks.
What is organization?
From an executive function perspective, organization is the ability to create and maintain systems to keep physical materials, information, and thoughts orderly and accessible.
Organization is an important skill for students to master. It’s what allows them to keep track of their things, know what they need to do, and have a plan for getting it done.
Organization isn’t a standalone skill. It’s part of a group of executive functioning skills that develop over time. These include: planning, attention, working memory, and time management
Why some children struggle
Some children need more support with organization skills, especially if they have ADHD, feel anxious or overwhelmed, are managing a heavy workload, or haven’t been taught clear strategies.
Why organizational skills are important
When organization is working well, things feel smoother. Children (and their families) experience less stress and feel more in control of their day. For example, mornings might feel calmer, homework isn’t always a battle, and your child has greater confidence in their ability to get things done on their own.
When organization is not working, even small tasks can feel big. A student might sit down to start homework and feel stuck — not because they don’t understand it, but because they don’t know where to begin. That “stuck” feeling is often where we see frustration, avoidance, or shutdown.
Types of organization
Organization isn’t just one skill — it shows up in different ways. Breaking it into clear categories can make it easier to understand and support.
Physical Organization
Managing belongings and space
A well-organized space makes it easier to find things quickly and reduces distractions. At home, this might look like:
- a designated homework area
- a simple system for school papers
- a nightly backpack reset routine
Digital Organization
Managing information on devices
Digital clutter is often harder to see, but it can quickly become overwhelming. This can look like:
- creating individual folders for school subjects
- clearly name files (eg. “Math Homework – Fractions”)
- organizing email or learning platforms
- storing documents in categories
- arranging apps in a simple, consistent way
Task Organization
Deciding what tasks to do and when to do them
This is often the most challenging type of organization because it involves planning, time management, and decision-making. Task organization can help turn overwhelm into manageable action, and can look like:
- planning when to start a task
- breaking larger tasks into smaller steps
- prioritizing what’s most important
- making a daily or weekly to-do list
- grouping similar tasks together
Tips to help your child get and stay organized
When it comes to helping your child be more organized, you don’t need to try to fix everything at once — in fact, doing too much could be overwhelming. Finding small, consistent strategies that work for your child (and you) can help improve organization skills over time. Every child and household is different, so you may need to experiment until you find the things that work best.
Start with one area
Pick one place to begin:
- Physical organization (e.g., backpack system)
- Digital organization (e.g., digital folders in Google Drive or OneNote)
- Task organization (e.g., a daily to-do list)
Make it visual
Visual supports reduce mental load and make organization easier. The more your child can see the system, the easier it is to use. Try things like:
- Checklists
- Whiteboards
- Labels
- Colour coding
Keep systems simple
If a system is too complicated, it won’t be used. Ask yourself:
- “Is this easy to follow?”
- “Can my child use this independently?”
Build routines
Organization works best when it becomes part of the day. Try things like:
- Pack the backpack every evening
- Review what’s needed for tomorrow
Model the skills
Children learn organization best when they see it in action. Try saying:
- “I’m writing this down so I don’t forget”
- “I’m putting this in my binder so I know exactly where to find it later”
If your child is still struggling or could use extra support, executive function coaching can help. An exeprienced coach can work with your child to help them identify, trial and implement organizational strategies, systems and tools that set them up for success.
Organization isn’t about being perfectly neat — it’s about creating systems that make life easier.
With the right support, your child can build strong organization skills, improve their executive functioning, and feel more confident managing their responsibilities. Over time, these small skills lead to something bigger: independence, resilience, and a stronger sense of control.
Kelly Satran is an executive function coach at Red Oak, who supports children, teens, and families by helping them build the skills and confidence needed to navigate both school and daily life. Her combined background in education, special education, and pediatric psychosocial care allows her to support the whole child — helping students build practical skills while also feeling understood, supported, and confident in their learning.