Executive Functioning

What is Executive Functioning?

Executive Function is a set of important skills such as:

Focusing and paying attention
Organizing, planning, and prioritizing what is important
Starting tasks and working hard to finish them
Managing emotions (check out the Emotion Regulation and Coping Skills pages of this website for information and ideas)
Cognitive flexibility
Working memory

A very useful resource for families on strategies to help children develop their Executive Functioning skills is Understood. Throughout this page, I have shared some articles and videos that may be of use to you as you help your child. For more information, check out Understood's website! They have a handy search feature!

What is executive function?Executive functioning: What is it? Learn about executive function disorder and what executive function means in this comprehensive guide.

FOCUS

Here are some resources on a variety of reasons children may struggle with focus and paying attention, and strategies to help them stay on task.

Understanding why kids have trouble with focusLots of kids have trouble with focus and concentration. Find out why some children have difficulty focusing and concentrating, and how to help.

6 ways to help your child focusConcentration and focus can be trouble spots for lots of kids, including those with ADHD. Here are tips on improving focus in children who struggle with attention.

5 common distractions for kids who struggle with focusKids with focus issues and ADHD can be distracted by things you might not even notice. Here are some common distractions and ways to help keep kids focused.

Organization skills

Learning organization and time management skills from a young age will help kids get and stay organized as they age. Here are some ideas for helping your child organize their backpack, homework spot, supplies, and time!

Backpack

Store smaller items in a pencil case or smaller pocket
Close and stack notebooks and books
All papers inside folders
Other supplies in the middle
Zero trash - go through backpack at least once a week to throw away trash and recycle unneeded paper

HOmework Spot

Doesn't have to be a desk, but needs a flat surface
Comfy but not too comfy
Needs to have good light
Free of distractions
Easy access to school supplies
When homework is done, put it in folder in backpack

Time

Use a clock to see how much time you have.
Focus on one thing at a time.
Prioritize: Do the most important things first!
For big projects, break up tasks into smaller chunks, and make sure you do things in the right order.
Use a timer to work for a certain amount of time, then take a break.

Helpful Resources and Videos on Organization

Understanding why kids struggle with organizationMessy backpack? Clothes all over the place? Learn about organization skills in children, and why some kids have so much trouble getting and staying organized.

Child procrastinating? Why kids struggle with time managementMany kids who procrastinate aren’t lazy. They have trouble with time management skills. Find out why kids procrastinate or have trouble managing time.

How to Teach Your Grade-Schooler Organization SkillsReady to help your grade-schooler get organized? Here are 7 simple ways to teach your child organization skills.

6 low-cost organization tools for kidsEstar organizado no requiere comprar cosas costosas. Si a su hijo le custa organizarse ponga en práctica estas sencillas ideas.

6 Homework Station Ideas From Our CommunityHomework stations can help kids who learn and think differently focus better and get things done. See photos of these example homework stations.

FLEXIBLE THINKING

Flexible thinking means being able to think about things in more than one way. Here are some resources about helping children stretch their flexible thinking skills.

Trouble with flexible thinking: Why some kids only see things one wayFlexible thinking is the ability to find new solutions and see situations in more than one way. Find out why kids struggle with flexible thinking, and how to help.

How to help kids build flexible thinking skillsHow can you help kids build flexible thinking skills? Try these flexible thinking activities and games for home or school.

WORKING MEMORY

Working memory, the ability to keep information in mind and use it in some way, is an important aspect of executive functioning. Here are some resources about working memory and how to help develop it.

What is working memory? Working memory is an executive function skill that lets us hold on to new information so the brain can briefly work with it and connect it to other information.

8 working memory boostersWorking memory games can help kids get better at remembering and using information. Here are eight simple ways to improve working memory in your child.