School supplies... And why your child needs to be part of the conversation
A few years ago I sat across from a student and put a notebook on the table. I had picked it out myself. I thought it was perfect. He took one look at it and completely shut down. I had to put it away and restart the session from the beginning. That moment changed the way I think about school supplies forever.
Here is what I learned.
It does not matter how good the tool is if the child was never part of choosing it.
Every August the back to school lists go out and parents head to the store armed with the best intentions. But here is what those lists cannot tell you. Whether your child thinks in color or finds color distracting. Whether one notebook feels manageable or completely overwhelming. Whether a planner with hourly time blocks helps them or shuts them down before they even open it.
Organization and planning are advanced executive functions. The tools that support them only work when they fit the unique brain that is using them. A planner sitting unopened on a desk is not a motivation problem. It is a mismatch between the tool and the brain.
Before you buy anything this August, sit down with your child first. Ask them what felt hard last year and what felt manageable. Ask them how they like to keep track of things. Let them weigh in on color, size, format, and system. You will save money, avoid the shutdown moment, and build something far more valuable: a child who understands how their own unique brain works and has a voice in how they support it.
That said, over the years I have found tools that I genuinely love and recommend. Not because they work for every brain, but because they give families a strong starting point for that conversation. You can find my current favorites on our Resources page.
Need help this fall?
If you are heading into the school year wondering whether your child has the right support in place, not just the right supplies, we would love to connect. Book your free consultation and let's talk about your child.
