Focus helpers (ADHD-friendly) worksheets
Printable focus tools for second graders: a big-job mission map with time guesses, a must-should-could planner, a break menu, a stop-reset-go plan, a finish-line checklist, a sticker reward board and a Me vs. the Challenge board.
The worksheets
Mission Map
One of ten everyday jobs (like cleaning a room or doing homework) broken into four small steps on a winding path, with a time guess, a real time and a reward at the finish.
Must, Should, Could
Six picture jobs from a real part of the day (like after school or Saturday morning) to sort into Must do it first, Should do it today, and Could do it if there's time.
My Break Menu
A picture menu of movement, calming and snack-and-water breaks, plus a break plan with feelings, break length and a return-to-work line.
Stop, Reset, Go
A traffic-light plan for stuck moments, with feelings faces, six picture resets and a big line for the next tiny step.
Finish-Line Check
A five-step check for one of ten kinds of work (like writing, a math page or clean-up), with two boxes for a first and second look.
Sticker Reward Board
A goal to write in, numbered sticker spots, a reward box halfway and a big reward box at the end. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 10 or 20 sticker spots, with the first reward halfway.
Me vs. the Challenge
A line to write the challenge, a Me side and a Challenge side to color, and lines for what happens when one side gets to the end first. Fewer, Standard or More give 5, 10 or 15 spots on each side.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
These are tools for kids who find it hard to start, plan, stay with or finish a task. In 2nd grade, work gets longer and has more steps, so kids need ways to break a big job into small pieces, decide what to do first, take a break and come back, and check their work before they say "done." These sheets help many children, with or without ADHD. They are not a test and not a diagnosis. If attention worries you at home and at school, talk with your child's doctor or teacher.
What comes next
Use the Fewer button on any practice sheet for a calmer page, and slowly make work times a little longer as your child gets more independent.
How to teach it
- Fill out the sheet together the first few times. Then let your child lead while you watch.
- Keep the sheet where the work happens, like on the desk or the fridge, not in a folder.
- Plan the break before it's needed, so it's part of the work and not an escape from it.
- Use the time guesses. Kids with attention differences often guess wrong about how long things take, and practice makes their guesses better.
- Praise a specific action right away. "You came back after your break all by yourself!"
Common mistakes
- Making the steps too big. If a step takes more than about 10 minutes, split it.
- Taking away a reward that was already earned. Once it's earned, it stays earned.
- Using a break as a punishment or taking it away. Breaks help the brain get ready to work.
- Changing the routine every day. The same plan each day lowers stress.
- Treating trouble with focus as laziness. Your child is working hard to pay attention.