Planning is an executive function skill that has a large impact on a child’s ability to perform tasks/assignments at school, complete chores at home, or get ready for events like sporting games or practices. For some children, planning can come more naturally, however, planning is an essential skill that every child would benefit from practicing and talking about. The ability to plan events requires several cognitive processes, including attention, working memory, energy, initiation, self-monitoring, self-correction, time sense, prioritizing, and decision-making—just to name a few. No wonder planning can be difficult!
We can practice planning using daily activities with our children. Using activities that are age-appropriate and functional in their environment is one of the best ways to practice these skills.
Planning Practice Ideas for Younger Children
- Making a meal or snack
- Cleaning their room
- Doing a puzzle
- Completing a craft
- Getting ready to go to the park, pool, store, etc.
You can start by telling them what you’re going to do. For example, let’s make lunch together! We’ll make a PB&J sandwich. Ask them, “How do you think we’ll make a PB&J sandwich?” Listen to their response and use some of the ideas they have and shape the steps from there. Use language to outline the steps (e.g., “First, we’ll get the peanut butter out of the cabinet, and then the jelly out of the refrigerator.”). This helps the child visualize the steps they will take before they do them. Once all the steps have been talked about, see how many of the steps they can recall. Help them to remember any they might forget, it’s not a quiz!
After you’ve made your plan, it’s time for action! Walk through the steps with them and refer back to what you planned for. Did everything go according to plan? Was anything tricker than they thought it would be? Were there any surprises, like being out of grape jelly?
Planning Practice Ideas for Older Children
- Getting ready for a sports game
- Getting ready to go to a birthday party
- Getting ready to have a sleepover
- Planning how to complete a school project
- Planning chores on chore day
The process for planning is very similar to what was described for younger children. Start by asking them what they think they will need to do to complete the task — this lets you know whether they’re visualizing all the steps and if they’re going to over or underestimate the amount of time the task will take them. Then, help them to identify any steps they might have missed or even identify steps that aren’t necessary.
However, there are many times in which things don’t go according to plan. We can begin to teach problem-solving skills by having children anticipate problems they might run into when they are trying to execute their plan. Maybe their sports jersey is dirty, they can’t find an item they need to complete their project, or they’re out of an item they’ll need to complete the task. Practicing to anticipate problems that could come up can help reduce anxiety and frustrations when problems arise and give them a head-start on problem-solving.
Everyone plans differently, and children are learning what works best for them. It’s okay to do things in a different way or let them make mistakes in their planning so that they have to retrace their steps and try again. Some children benefit from lists or pictures, while other children benefit from talking about their plans. You can guide your child to finding a planning method that works best for them as they grow and as their needs change.
Does Your Child Struggle With Planning? Let ETLC Assist With Executive Function Support!
Does your child struggle with planning and other executive functioning skills? If you wonder if they could benefit from executive functioning support, contact us at Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center! It can be hard to learn how to help your child. We understand that every child learns in their own way. That’s why we create an individualized plan specific to their learning style. Ready to get started? Contact us today!
info@enrichmenttherapies.com
740 Community Drive, Unit A
North Liberty, IA 52317
319-626-2553
infodm@enrichmenttherapies.com
5530 West Pkwy, Suite 300
Johnston, IA 50131
515-419-4270
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