--- title: Understanding why kids struggle with organization description: Messy backpack? Clothes all over the place? Learn about organization skills in children, and why some kids have so much trouble getting and staying organized. slug: organization-challenges-in-children author: Andrew M.I. Lee, JD reviewer: Bob Cunningham, EdM published: '2019-08-05T15:01:26.705Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/6O3757whnQLvnb3HnpOSN1/1dac0990a732764d83798d75f1c179a9/Why_kids_struggle_w_organization_G2171508125.png source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/organization-challenges-in-children lang: en --- # Understanding why kids struggle with organization ## Tips for handling trouble with organization ### Quick tip 1: Count to five. If you find that they haven’t cleaned up or they’ve lost something *again*, say nothing for five seconds. Remind yourself they’re not doing it on purpose. ### Quick tip 2: Don’t get personal. Comment on the situation, not on kids personally. Say things like “This desk is messy” instead of “You’re messy.” ### Quick tip 3: Break down tasks. Kids who struggle with organization often have trouble putting the steps of a task in the right order. Break it down into smaller, sequential chunks. For long-term assignments, make a deadline for each chunk. ### Quick tip 4: Make a checklist. Make a visual or written checklist of what they need to do and when. Color-coding, like using different colors for different kinds of tasks on a calendar, can also help. Lots of kids have messy rooms and cluttered backpacks. Most will eventually organize their things because they can’t stand the mess or don’t want to get in trouble.  Then there are kids who are *never* neat or organized no matter what the consequence is. Their things are all over the place, and they don’t clean up even when they’re told to. Why does that happen? Some people see this behavior and assume it’s laziness or defiance. But many kids really do struggle with organization and all the skills that go into it. So do many adults. [![Video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/MIwp7wQvCQI/sddefault.webp)](https://youtu.be/MIwp7wQvCQI) Organization isn’t just about keeping track of things. It’s also about organizing your thoughts, managing your time, planning, and knowing how to get things done. It means being able to set goals and do things in the right order. People struggle with organization for different reasons. A common one is difficulty with a set of skills called executive function. No matter the cause, there are strategies that can help at every age. ## What organization challenges look like Some signs of organization problems are clear, like a workspace that’s always messy. But others are harder to recognize. Here are some examples:  - Forgetting to take important items back and forth from school, like homework - Forgetting to gather the right materials for an assignment or project - Not keeping things in a regular place so they’re easy to find - Struggling to think about or do more than one thing at a time - Having trouble telling a story in a logical way Find out [how kids use organization skills to learn](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/4-ways-kids-use-organization-skills-to-learn). ## What causes organization challenges When young kids struggle with organization, it may just be a matter of development. Kids develop organization skills at different rates.  Not getting enough sleep can make it hard for kids to focus and stay organized. Stress, anxiety, and trauma can also play a role. But as kids get older, the main cause of organization problems is trouble with executive function. This group of mental skills allows us to organize, plan, focus, and prioritize. People with ADHD typically struggle with executive functioning skills. If you’re concerned, explore [signs of ADHD in kids and adults](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/signs-of-adhd-at-different-ages). ## More ways to help Organization skills can improve with help and support. There are many strategies you can try to help kids get and stay organized — at home and at school.  Also, showing empathy can improve kids’ self-esteem and motivate them to work on organization skills. (Scolding can make them feel like they’re “bad.”) Check out [these low-cost organization tools for kids](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-low-cost-organization-tools-for-kids), and get [tips for teens and young adults](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/tools-tips-teen-organized). And discover classroom [strategies and supports](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/classroom-accommodations-executive-function-challenges) that can help with organization. ## Next steps Kids benefit the most when parents and teachers work together. Reach out and set up time to talk. Share what you’re seeing and strategies you’ve tried. Pediatricians can also help. If you’re a parent or caregiver, talk to your child’s health care provider about what’s happening at home and at school.  **Parents and caregivers:** Learn [how to pick up on patterns](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-benefits-of-observing-your-child-and-taking-notes) in your child’s behavior. **Educators:** Get [tips for starting good relationships](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/eight-tips-to-build-a-positive-relationship-with-your-students-families) with families. --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Why messiness can make kids anxious](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/why-messiness-can-make-kids-anxious) - - Being organized requires executive function skills some kids lack. - Organization is hard for kids with ADHD. - Messiness can create anxiety for different reasons. For some kids, messiness is a choice. Theyre not upset by mess or clutter and can clean up when they need to or want to. But for - [Understanding why kids have trouble with focus](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-trouble-focusing) - Sometimes, just being a kid can make it hard to focus. Other kids laughing when youre trying to pay attention during class. Friends texting when youre doing chores. With all the distractions that come with being a kid, its common to have trouble concentrating from time to time. But some kids constan - [4 reasons your organization tips aren’t working for your child](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/reasons-organization-tips-arent-working-for-your-child) - - Many kids have poor organization skills. - Its common with kids who have ADHD and executive function challenges. - Your childs organization system may not match yours. You try every strategy you can think of to help your child with ADHD and executive function challenges get organized. 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