Building Executive Function Skills

Helping Children Develop Organization, Time Management, and Planning Abilities

Executive function skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, juggle multiple tasks, and regulate our actions and emotions. These skills are crucial for academic success and are increasingly recognized as equally important as IQ in predicting children’s future achievements.

Understanding Executive Function

Executive function encompasses three core skills:

Working Memory: The ability to hold information in mind and use it.

Example: Remembering multi-step instructions for a project

Cognitive Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing demands or priorities.

Example: Switching strategies when the first approach isn’t working

Inhibitory Control: The ability to resist impulsive actions and focus on tasks.

Example: Completing homework before playing video games

From these core skills emerge higher-order abilities like:

Planning and prioritizing
Organization
Time management
Task initiation
Self-monitoring
Emotional regulation

Development Timeline

Executive function skills develop gradually from early childhood through adolescence and into early adulthood. The brain’s prefrontal cortex, which controls these functions, continues maturing into the mid-20s.

While development follows general patterns, each child progresses at their own pace. Some children may excel in certain executive skills while finding others more challenging.

Signs of Executive Function Challenges

Children with executive function difficulties may:

Struggle to start or complete tasks
Have trouble organizing materials and information
Forget instructions or assignments
Have difficulty managing time
Become easily frustrated or overwhelmed
Struggle with transitions between activities
Have messy backpacks, desks, or bedrooms
Procrastinate on long-term projects

Strategies to Build Executive Function Skills

For Preschool Children (Ages 3-5)

Play games that require following rules and taking turns (Simon Says, Red Light/Green Light)
Read stories and discuss characters’ feelings and actions
Establish simple routines with visual reminders
Provide opportunities for pretend play which builds planning skills
Play sorting and matching games to build categorization skills

For Elementary School Children (Ages 6-11)

Create visual schedules for morning, after-school, and bedtime routines
Use checklists for daily responsibilities
Teach time management with analog clocks, timers, and calendars
Break down larger tasks into manageable steps
Create organization systems that are simple and intuitive
Model problem-solving by thinking aloud when you face challenges
Play strategy games like chess, Mastermind, or Rush Hour

For Middle/High School Students (Ages 12-18)

Help set up effective study spaces that minimize distractions
Teach calendar and planning systems (digital or paper)
Guide project planning for long-term assignments
Coach self-monitoring skills by asking reflection questions
Encourage physical exercise which improves executive function
Promote adequate sleep which is crucial for cognitive functioning
Gradually transfer responsibility for managing schedules and tasks

Supporting Executive Function Development at Home

Establish Routines Consistent routines reduce cognitive load and provide security. When the basic framework of the day is predictable, children can focus their mental energy on learning and growth.

Create Organization Systems

Designate specific places for belongings
Use labeled bins, folders, and containers
Create visual reminders and checklists
Implement a system for managing papers and assignments

Support Time Management

Use visual timers for tasks and transitions
Create schedules that show the flow of the day
Break down time into manageable chunks
Discuss the concept of time regularly

Teach Planning Skills

Show children how to break big tasks into smaller steps
Create planning templates for different types of tasks
Demonstrate how to work backward from deadlines
Practice estimating how long tasks will take

Model and Narrate Your Own Executive Function Skills Children learn by watching. When you’re using executive function skills, talk through your thought process:

“I’m making a list so I don’t forget anything at the store.”
“This project seems overwhelming, so I’m going to break it down into smaller parts.”
“I need to put my keys in the same place each time so I don’t lose them.”

Provide Just Enough Support Aim for the “just right challenge” by providing enough support for success but gradually reducing assistance as children develop skills.

When to Seek Additional Help

While all children develop executive function at different rates, significant struggles might indicate a need for additional support. Consider seeking help from a school counselor, psychologist, or pediatrician if your child:

Shows persistent difficulties with organization despite consistent support
Experiences high levels of stress or anxiety related to planning or organization
Has executive function challenges that significantly impact academic performance or self-esteem
Displays a marked difference in executive function abilities compared to peers of the same age

Resources for Parents

Books:

Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare https://amzn.to/41Q8Zc0
Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare https://amzn.to/4bV7LRn
The Organized Child by Richard Gallagher, Elana G. Spira, and Jennifer L. Rosenblatt https://amzn.to/4bVHsdJ

Websites:

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University https://developingchild.harvard.edu/
Understood.org https://www.understood.org/en/articles/early-intervention-what-it-is-and-how-it-works?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google-search-grant&utm_campaign=g_en_early_intervention_ej&utm_content=fam%20lj%20early%20intervention%20core%20nb&utm_term=early%20intervention_broad&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwytS-BhCKARIsAMGJyzrClviUW8G1DAsGUAhEHwPoBoXI2ogNTaiEPACPPiJYnCpe46uH5SEaAoETEALw_wcB
ADDitude Magazine (resources relevant for all children, not just those with ADHD) https://www.additudemag.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopdgiZEDRS8JsIcZ7EZRbt_DY5kG8zgNw_Fc_wEqVdyM13sdEO-

Final Thoughts

Building executive function skills is a long-term process that requires patience, consistency, and understanding. Remember that the goal is gradual progress, not perfection. By providing appropriate support and opportunities for practice, you can help your child develop these essential skills for success in school and life.

With strong executive function skills, children gain confidence in their ability to manage challenges, work toward goals, and navigate an increasingly complex world independently.