What exactly are executive functions, and what can you do as a parent to support them? Executive functions are the mental processes that help us plan, control our behavior, focus, and manage multiple tasks while working toward a goal. In the early grades, teachers support these skills by setting up the environment and modeling them. As students get older, those supports fade, and students are expected to manage their own responsibilities and organization.
Once students start middle school or high school, adults often assume they have mastered these skills. Unfortunately, that is often not the case, and it can be overwhelming for many students. These skills may need to be taught, modeled, and practiced. Here are six executive functioning strategies that can help your child get organized and prepare for the new year.
Strategy 1: Use Checklists and Prioritize
It can be hard for students to picture everything that needs to get done. A simple checklist or to-do list can help, using words or pictures. Prioritizing the list matters too, because it helps your student use their time well. List the highest priority items first, and let your student cross off or check off tasks as they finish, since that builds a sense of success and motivation to keep going.
Instead of prioritizing the list for your student, bring them into the conversation with questions you model out loud, like “What assignment is due first?” or “How much time do I have set aside for homework on Tuesdays?” A list also tells your student what comes next and cuts down on extra decisions that can take them off track. You can print this example of a task list.
Strategy 2: Set Time Limits
A time limit helps students know what to expect and how long they need to keep working on a task. It can also lower worry about how long the task will take. If your student doesn’t finish in the time allowed, adjust the limit next time or come back to the task later. A color-blocked visual timer is a helpful reference for many students.
Strategy 3: Establish a Routine
A routine can especially help older students who struggle to start homework. It helps to sandwich a less preferred task, like homework, between more preferred activities. For example, your student can have free time outside until 4:00 pm, come inside for 45 minutes of homework, and then take the dog for a walk. Homework should happen in a quiet, well-lit space with few distractions.
Strategy 4: Color Coordinate
If your student has trouble keeping materials organized, a colored notebook and folder for each subject can help. This is a quick, easy, and discreet way to sort papers and materials. Also, if supplies stay in a locker between classes, a matching color-coded schedule can show which materials to grab. You will likely get more buy-in if your student picks the colors or themed materials.
Strategy 5: Use a Planner or Organizer
Many schools require planners, but students still need to be taught how to use them. Students with executive functioning challenges often have weaker working memory, so it can be hard to remember assignments. Consider color coding the planner to match the notebook and folder system. That keeps the visual supports consistent, so your student knows exactly what is due for each class.
A week-view planner builds predictive thinking and planning, since students can see what is coming. Use the planner for non-homework items, too, like weekend trips or birthdays. For note-taking, a template or outline can also help students who dislike taking notes because they aren’t sure what to write. A place for keywords, chapter highlights, and facts can guide them. Here is an example you can print: notes outline.
Strategy 6: Discuss the Why and Reflect
Your student is learning skills that may not come naturally, so it is important to explain why each step matters. Some steps may seem like extra work, and talking about their value helps. It is also important to leave room for flexibility. If something isn’t working, it is okay to change it! A tool may work for a while, and then feel restrictive as your student grows and becomes more independent.
Talk openly with your student about what is working and what isn’t. The ability to reflect on and assess their own work is itself an executive functioning skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should my child manage their own organization?
It varies. Many schools expect more independence by middle school, but executive functioning skills keep developing into early adulthood. Most students need these skills taught and practiced first.
What if my child resists these executive functioning strategies?
Let your child choose the colors, planner, or timer. Also, start with one tool and add more later, because too many changes at once can feel overwhelming.
How do I know if my child needs extra executive functioning support?
Consider support if your child regularly loses materials, misses assignments, or has a hard time starting or finishing work even with these executive functioning strategies in place. An evaluation can help identify what to target.
How ETLC Can Help
Executive functioning strategies work well for many students, but sometimes students benefit from additional support for their emerging executive functioning skills. Our team can support students based on each student’s skill level and learning style. Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in Johnston and North Liberty, IA, with virtual services also available.
Learn more about executive functioning support at ETLC or schedule a free consultation to talk with a member of our team.
You may also find these pages helpful:
- Executive Functioning Difficulties
- Executive Functioning Tool: The Magic To-Do List
- Games for Executive Functioning
About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
0 Comments