Brain Parking Lot
Thoughts zooming around? Park each one in a spot with a word or a quick drawing. They'll wait here while you work.
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Think of anything zooming around in your head.
- Park each thought in a spot with a word or a quick drawing.
- Leave it parked and start your work.
Teaching tip
After the work, come back to the lot together. Some worries feel smaller once they're parked.
About this worksheet
A parking lot with six spots for a worry, an idea, a don't-forget, a question, a feeling or anything else.
What kids practice
These are tools for kids who find it hard to start, plan, stay with or finish a task. In 3rd grade, homework gets longer, projects stretch over several days, and kids are expected to work on their own for longer stretches. These sheets keep the extra paperwork low. Kids color, roll and check instead of writing, see a win right away, and earn rewards they picked ahead of time. The brain parking lot clears out busy thoughts so there's room to work. They can 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.
Watch for
- Making the goal too far away. Start with sprints and rewards your child can reach today.
- Taking away a reward that was already earned. Once it's earned, it stays earned.
- Adding writing to the tools. The point is less work, not a second assignment.
- Using the same reward every time. A little surprise keeps it exciting.
- Treating trouble with focus as laziness. Your child is working hard to pay attention.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full focus helpers (adhd-friendly) guide for 3rd grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. My Focus ToolkitA poster with four focus tools (tiny steps, wiggle break, reset, win a prize) and a quick ready-to-work checklist. 
2. Color a WinA picture to color one part at a time, like a caterpillar, a stack of ice cream scoops, a rocket or a treasure path. Each print picks a different picture.
3. Roll a RewardSix reward spots, one for each side of a die, a list of reward ideas and a paper die to cut, fold and tape.
4. Sticker Reward BoardA goal to write in, numbered sticker spots with a date line under each, 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.
5. Reward or BustA line to write the challenge, a Done right side for checks, a Needs a redo side for redo arrows, and lines for what happens when one side fills up first. Fewer, Standard or More give 5, 10 or 15 spots on each side.
6. Beat the TimerThree levels of three batteries to color, one per sprint, with a bonus star at the end of each level and bonus ideas.
8. Big Project PlannerA five-day project planner with one short step a day, a star to color for each and a celebration at the end.