Executive functioning is at the core of everything we do. It includes planning and plan execution, organization, goal-setting, attention, and task initiation, just to name a few. When a child has trouble with these skills, an executive functioning tool can help break big tasks into smaller steps.
What Executive Functioning Looks Like in Everyday Life
Take ordering pizza, for example. Planning what to order is probably step one, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. You’ll likely need to gather a list of everyone’s topping preferences. Then you’ll decide on the right size for each pizza based on how many people are eating. What size do you get if two kids will only eat a bite of crust, and two teenagers are coming home from football camp?
From there, you’re running several sub-plans at once: small, medium, or large? Which sizes for which flavors? Appetizers, drinks, dessert? You get the idea.
This isn’t just about creating a plan. It also requires organizing and making decisions. Then you have to carry out the plan you’ve created, all while shifting and sustaining attention to focus on the right pieces of the puzzle.
For people with executive functioning difficulties, starting a task can be tough. They often find themselves wondering, “Where do I start?” Since starting is step one, the rest of the plan tends to fall apart from there. The result is someone who’s overwhelmed and without pizza.
How Does Executive Functioning Relate to Language?
Our brain has the ability to start language or hold it back. In a child with executive functioning difficulties, this process isn’t always so streamlined. Blurting out in class is a classic example of language that’s started but not held back.
Our ability to plan communication based on context is also important to how we interact with others day to day. For example, starting a conversation at the lunch table looks very different from starting one in the classroom.
Receptive Language
Language is a two-way street. We don’t just produce language, because we also take it in. Receptive language means understanding and processing what’s said to you, like following directions and answering questions. It draws on executive functioning skills to sustain attention, organize language, and make plans based on what’s being said.
As a result, children who struggle with executive functioning might have a hard time figuring out where to start. If your child often has trouble following directions and completing tasks, executive functioning may be part of the picture.
Bridging the Gap With Task Breakdown
One of the most helpful things you can do for a child with executive functioning difficulties is to take a task and break it into manageable parts. Our long-term goal is for each child to plan and carry out tasks independently. However, technology can be a useful learning tool along the way.
One executive functioning tool that does this is called the “Magic To-Do List,” part of the free website Goblin Tools. You enter a task in the search bar, and the tool breaks it down into a to-do list. If you enter something like “clean my room,” it returns a list of the steps needed to get it done.
You can also ask for a time estimate for each step, which helps build time management skills. In addition, you can adjust the settings to control how broken down you’d like a task to be, sometimes called its “spice” level.
Why This Executive Functioning Tool Can Help
This tool can be a useful resource at home or in the classroom. Play around with the wand button, and try entering different tasks to see how the tool breaks them into parts. It can help big tasks feel less daunting and give kids a clear starting point.
Since the tool is an online service, avoid typing in names or other personal information. Instead, stick to everyday tasks like cleaning a room or starting a book report. Happy to-do listing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an executive functioning tool?
It is anything that helps a person plan, organize, or start a task. Examples include checklists, visual schedules, timers, and task breakdown tools like the Magic To-Do List.
Will my child always need a tool like this?
Not necessarily. The goal is for your child to build the habit of breaking tasks down on their own. While they practice, a tool can give them a model to learn from.
What if my child still can’t get started?
If your child keeps struggling to begin or finish tasks even with support, it may help to talk with a professional. Our team can look at what is getting in the way and suggest next steps.
How ETLC Can Help
If your child struggles with executive functioning, task initiation, or planning, you do not have to figure it out alone. Our team can help you find strategies that fit your child’s needs. 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:
- What Is Executive Functioning?
- Executive Functioning Difficulties: What to Know
- Games for Executive Functioning: Fun Ideas by Age
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.
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