he basement was a complete mess. Swimsuits, towels, sandy toys, and sunhats were strewn all over the floor—right next to the shelves and hooks on which they belonged. Apparently, when I told my kids to bring their things to the basement, I wasn’t specific enough.

I didn’t help them scaffold and build their executive functioning skills, and so, while I was frustrated, it was mostly with myself.

Executive function skills are a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks successfully. These skills are critical for academic achievement, personal development, and overall well-being.

Strong executive function skills are linked to better academic performance, improved social interactions, and enhanced problem-solving abilities. Conversely, difficulties in these areas can lead to academic struggles, behavioral issues, and challenges in daily functioning.

Understanding executive function skills is particularly important for homeschooling parents.

Homeschooling offers a unique and flexible learning environment, allowing parents to tailor their teaching methods to their children’s needs. However, this flexibility also means that parents must be vigilant in identifying and addressing any signs of executive function struggles. By recognizing and addressing struggles early on, parents can implement targeted strategies to help their children strengthen these skills. This proactive approach not only enhances academic success, but also prepares kids for the challenges of daily life and future successes.

Executive function skills encompass several key areas, including flexible thinking, working memory, organization, emotional control, impulse control, task initiation, planning and prioritizing, and self-monitoring—you can read my article in the Spring Issue detailing each. These skills play a vital role in a child’s ability to learn, interact, and manage their behavior.

Let’s examine some common signs of executive function difficulties in kids and teens and suggest some practical strategies for parents and educators to help strengthen these skills. By fostering strong executive function skills, we can support children’s overall development and set them on a path to success.

• have difficulty adapting to changing schedules or expectations.
• find it challenging to understand different viewpoints.
• be rigid in their thinking and problem-solving approaches.

• encouraging open-ended discussions about various perspectives and solutions.
• incorporating activities that require creative thinking and adaptability.
• exposing children to new experiences and challenging them to think outside the box.

• forget important details in assignments.
• have trouble following multi-step instructions.
• find it difficult to recall previously learned information.

• using mnemonic devices and visualization techniques to aid memory.
• breaking down complex tasks into simpler steps with visual supports.
• encouraging regular review of learned material to reinforce retention.

• be inconsistent or incomplete when it comes to their schoolwork.
• have disorganized notebooks and materials.
• find it difficult to manage multiple assignments or projects.

• implementing a structured organizational system with folders and binders.
• teaching the use of digital tools like apps for task management.
• reviewing and updating organizational strategies on a regular basis to ensure effectiveness.

• overreact to minor setbacks or criticisms.
• have difficulty managing stress and anxiety.
• find it challenging to maintain composure in social situations.

• introducing stress-management techniques such as meditation and exercise.
• encouraging journaling as a means of expressing and processing emotions.
• providing a supportive environment where children feel safe discussing their feelings.

• engage in impulsive behaviors without considering outcomes.
• interrupt others during conversations or activities.
• struggle to adhere to rules and guidelines.

• practicing role-playing scenarios to reinforce impulse control.
• setting clear expectations and consistent consequences for impulsive behaviors.
• using mindfulness techniques to help children pause and reflect before acting.

• procrastinate on assignments and projects.
• find it difficult to start tasks independently.
• be frequently distracted, preventing them from finishing tasks.

• developing a structured routine with designated times for tasks.
• breaking assignments into smaller, more manageable parts.
• using incentives and positive reinforcement to motivate task initiation.

• have difficulty setting and adhering to deadlines.
• find it difficult to identify which tasks are most important.
• struggle to create and follow a plan of action.

• teaching time management skills and the use of planners.
• encouraging backward planning from deadlines to create action steps.
• reviewing and adjusting plans based on progress and priorities on a regular basis.

• have a lack of awareness about their academic performance or behavior.
• difficulty in recognizing areas needing improvement.
• struggle to adjust strategies based on feedback.

• implementing regular self-assessment practices, such as progress charts.
• providing opportunities for peer feedback and collaborative reflection.
• teaching goal-setting and tracking techniques to promote self-awareness.

Identifying and addressing executive function struggles in children is crucial for their academic success and overall development. By recognizing the signs of difficulty and implementing targeted strategies, we can support our kiddos in strengthening these essential skills. As our children develop these skills, they become more capable of managing their thoughts, actions, and emotions, leading to greater independence and resilience in the face of challenges.

olleen Kessler believes that you are the absolute best teacher there is for your amazing child. The author of more than a dozen books, award-winning educator, educational consultant, and passionate advocate for the needs of differently-wired kids, Colleen has a B.S. in elementary education, an M.Ed. in gifted studies, and is the founder of the popular podcast and website Raising Lifelong Learners and The Learner’s Lab, a membership community for quirky and creative families. Her newest book, Raising Resilient Sons: A Boy Mom’s Guide to Building a Strong, Confident, and Emotionally Intelligent Family can be found anywhere books are sold.

Colleen lives in Northeast Ohio with her reading specialist husband, four delightfully differently-wired kiddos, pug, border collie, and an ever-changing assortment of small animals and insects.