As parents, you can have an enormous impact on your child’s future success by helping to cultivate the essential executive function skills. These abilities are instrumental for learning and problem-solving, as well as critical thinking and decision-making – all of which determine academic performance down the line. At Just2 Tutoring, we give students everything they need to master these fundamental talents so that their educational journey is successful today and in years ahead!
What is Executive Function?
Executive function is defined as involving a set of cognitive skills that allow us to plan, organize, and carry out tasks. These skills include:
- Working memory: the ability to hold and manipulate information in your mind
- Inhibition: the ability to control impulses and resist distractions
- Task initiation: the ability to begin a task without procrastinating or getting distracted
- Time management: the ability to estimate the time needed for tasks and prioritize accordingly
- Planning and organization: the ability to create a plan and carry it out in an organized manner
- Self-monitoring: the ability to evaluate one’s own performance and make adjustments as needed
Executive function skills empower students with the tools needed to navigate their academic journey. They are foundational for providing learners the ability to focus on complex tasks, manage time effectively and develop essential problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities – all of which contribute significantly towards achieving success in school!
How Can Parents Support Executive Function Development?
1. Model good executive function skills for your young person.
Children learn by example, so it’s important to demonstrate good executive function skills in your own life. This includes making and sticking to a schedule, breaking down tasks into manageable steps, and avoiding distractions when working on a task. Children who see these behaviors in action are more likely to adopt them.
2. Help your young person create a structured environment at home.
Establishing routines and schedules for homework, studying, and other activities can help your young person develop the time management and organizational skills essential for executive function. Set aside specific times for homework, reading, and daily activities to stick to a consistent schedule.
3. Encourage your young person to break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can help your young person avoid feeling overwhelmed and improve their ability to plan and prioritize. Encourage your young person to make a to-do list for each task, breaking it down into specific steps that can be completed one at a time.
4. Provide opportunities for your young person to practice executive function skills.
There are many ways to practice executive function skills outside of academic tasks. Encourage your young person to plan and organize a family outing, create a budget for a shopping trip, or schedule their own study time. Practicing these skills in various settings can help your young person develop a range of executive function skills.
5. Work with a Just2 Tutoring academic coach.
Our coaches are trained to help students develop executive function skills and can provide personalized support and guidance. Our coaches can work with your young person to identify areas where they need support and provide strategies for improving their executive function skills. Working with a coach can help your young person stay motivated and on track, leading to tremendous academic success.
What Just2 Wants From You – The Parent
As a parent, you have the power to shape your young person’s future successes. Developing strong executive function skills is essential for academic achievement and beyond. At Just2 Tutoring, we are dedicated to helping students excel in these areas by teaching our students and parents strategies that facilitate the growth of executive functioning skills, such as creating structured environments, breaking tasks down into individual steps, and providing practice opportunities. Contact us today for more information about how we can help set your young person up with all the tools they need to succeed.
Get the Latest Education Insights Delivered to Your Inbox
Are you eager to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field of education? Would you like to learn new and exciting information about educational trends, opportunities, and resources? Sign up for our newsletter today and gain access to exclusive offers, valuable insights, and important facts from our expert coaches.
