Tips to help get your child organised!

Tips to help get your child organised!

Developing Executive Functions

Executive functioning (EF) skills are the abilities in our brain that help us complete everyday tasks. These skills include planning, organization, time management, meta-cognition, working memory, self-control, attention, flexibility, and perseverance. Sometimes, it’s helpful to think of executive functions like an air traffic controller in our brains. The EF center is assigning tasks to each of the different skills. For example, it tells us to focus and really listen while someone is talking (attention), while reminding us to get started when we have an assignment due at the end of class (task initiation). All of these skills work together to make sure we are working efficiently and effectively while completing daily tasks.

All children need help and support to develop excellent executive functions. Some children lag behind and may need a more personal approach than most schools offer. They aren’t just labeled by the general public as lazy and unmotivated.

Here are some of the signs to look for that your child might have executive functioning issues:

• He has trouble making effective arguments. Example: He wants you to bend on a certain rule but can’t give you a good reason why. He gets a poor grade on an assignment for not using enough detail or for repeating things.

• He waits to do things until the last minute. Example: He tends to turn assignments in late or doesn’t complete the entire assignment.

• He seems to be out of sync with other kids his age. Example: He has trouble working with other kids on group assignments. He overstays his welcome when he stays at a friend’s house but doesn’t realize it.

• He runs out of time to do things. Example: He has trouble finishing timed tests. He says he will do something but always seems to be in the middle of something when the time comes.

• He has trouble keeping track of details and remembering things. Example: He frequently misplaces things, even the things he uses every day.
  

Tips for managing your child 's executive functioning issues：

Part of helping your child to manage his executive functioning issues involves understanding what those issues are and where they come from. Unfortunately, scientists still haven’t completely determined why some children develop these problems and others do not. There does seem to be a genetic component and if your child has ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning disabilities his risk for developing executive functioning issues may be higher.

If your child has executive functioning issues, you’ll need to work with him outside of school to ensure that he is able to perform well in school. The more you work with your child at home, the more you will come to understand his issues as well which will help you to explain them to his teacher. To help your child at home, here are some things you can do:

1. Divide tasks into a list of steps.

Children with executive functioning issues often have trouble getting started on new tasks, so breaking it down into a list of steps might make things easier. These children are also easily distracted, so having a list will help your child get back on track after being distracted.

2. Set a time limit for activities.

If your child has trouble finishing tasks in the allotted time, you can practice at home by setting a time limit for certain activities. Pair this with the previous tip by including a time budget on your checklist.

3. Use a planner to keep track of things.
For younger children, a large paper planner works well for organizing tasks but, for older children, you can try a smartphone app or time-management software on the computer.

4. Explain things clearly.
If your child has trouble taking criticism or he isn’t often able to see the merit of doing something a certain way, it may help to be clear in your explanation of things. Spell out for your child why the task is important and how it will benefit him in the long run. If your child knows why he is doing something, it may help him to do it.

5. Let your child explain things himself.
When your child has executive functioning issues, he may do things differently and you might not always understand why. Instead of just telling your child how he should do something, take a moment to let him explain himself and his reasoning. You may be surprised to find that your child’s own way of doing things is actually the best way.

If your child has learning challenges, the best thing you can do is learn as much as you can about whatever issues he is having and then take steps to help him and to make sure that his teacher understands his problems and helps him as well. As your child learns and grows, be patient with him – it may be frustrating for both of you at times but with persistence, you can make a change!