What does “executive functioning” mean? Why is it so important for school success?

Executive functioning is more than just a single skill. It’s a set of skills that involves planning, organizing, focusing, and managing tasks effectively.
This article will explain executive functioning to you in simple terms and will help you understand when specialized coaching may help your child.

What is executive functioning in children?

Executive functioning is essentially the brain’s management system. It includes skills such as:

• Task initiation
• Staying organized
• Planning assignments
• Managing time
• Following multi-step directions
• Remembering multi-step instructions
• Finishing assignments

When executive functioning works well, students can typically stay on top of their assignments and overall workload, and school usually feels manageable. When students have weak executive functioning skills, however, school can feel overwhelming.

Explore ADHD study skills and executive functioning strategies for kids to help your child stay organized and focused at Executive Functioning Coaching | Build Organization, Time Management & Study Skills | EBL Coaching.

Main executive functioning skills

What are the primary executive functioning skills?

Time management skills

Time management is a key skill for success in school and in life. It involves having a strong grasp of how long tasks take and being able to plan accordingly.

Time management challenges may look like:

• Always rushing
• Constantly running late
• Underestimating homework time
• Turning in assignments late
• Struggling to start assignments at an appropriate time

Organizational skills

Organization can affect all aspects of school. It involves keeping track of materials and assignments.

Organizational challenges may look like:

• Losing homework assignments
• Having a messy backpack or locker
• Forgetting due dates
• Leaving assignments at home

Working memory

Working memory is an integral part of many different skills at school, including reading comprehension, writing, and math. It involves holding information in one’s mind long enough to use and apply it.

Working memory challenges might include:

• Forgetting instructions, especially when there are multiple steps
• Needing repeated reminders
• Losing track mid-task
• Struggling to complete math word problems
• Challenges with remembering information from a passage and then answering questions about it

Task initiation

Most aspects of school and life involve initiating tasks efficiently. Students who struggle with task initiation typically have trouble getting started without delays.

• Task initiation challenges might look like:
• Procrastinating homework
• Avoiding starting projects
• Staring at a page but not starting a writing assignment
• Needing constant prompting and reminders

Self-monitoring

Self-monitoring is a key component of executive functioning. It involves skills such as checking work and noticing errors (and then correcting them).

Self-monitoring challenges might include:

• Making careless mistakes
• Not checking for mistakes after completing an assignment
• Incomplete assignments
• Not reviewing work before turning it in

Emotional regulation

Emotional regulation involves effectively managing frustration and stress. Emotional regulation challenges might include:

• Homework meltdowns
• Avoiding challenging tasks and assignments
• Becoming easily frustrated

Why executive functioning is important 

When parents don’t know what executive functioning is, they might assume that these challenges are related to:

• Laziness
• Poor effort
• Lack of motivation
• Not trying hard

However, executive functioning helps translate effort into results in a structured, efficient manner.

Learn more about executive functioning coaching for kids and how it builds organization, time management, and study skills at Summer Study Skills for Kids With ADHD | EBL Coaching.

Students with executive functioning challenges are often:

• Intelligent
• Articulate
• Creative
• Highly capable

Yet despite these strengths, they can still struggle in school if their executive functioning skills are weak.

Common signs of executive functioning challenges

Many students struggle with their executive functioning skills, and these challenges often become more pronounced as students move through upper elementary school into middle school and beyond. When students struggle with executive functioning, you might notice your child:

• Takes much longer than expected to complete homework
• Needs constant reminders to start tasks
• Loses their belongings
• Turns in incomplete assignments
• Has trouble finishing tasks
• Is disorganized
• Has emotional reactions related to schoolwork

These executive functioning challenges are particularly common in students with ADHD and learning differences.

Can executive functioning be improved?

Yes! Executive functioning skills can absolutely be improved with the right tools and strategies.

Students can build stronger executive functioning skills when they receive:

• Organized lists
• Structured routines
• Step-by-step instructions
• Organizational systems
• Time management strategies
• Tools for planning and prioritizing

Students must be taught directly with concrete tools and strategies to develop their executive functioning skills effectively.

How executive functioning coaching helps

Executive functioning coaching teaches students how to manage their schedule and assignments – not just homework help or general academic skills building.

Executive functioning coaching might include:

• Breaking down large tasks into smaller steps
• Setting up organizational systems
• Teaching time management strategies
• Improving task initiation
• Reducing anxiety related to schoolwork

How EBL Coaching helps students with executive functioning coaching in NYC and New Jersey

At EBL Coaching, we specialize in helping students in New York City and New Jersey who struggle with executive functioning challenges, ADHD, learning disabilities, and academic skills.

Unlike traditional tutoring that focuses only on subject content, we teach students research-based, multi-sensory strategies to develop stronger executive functioning and academic skills.

We help students develop:

• Effective organization systems
• Step-by-step tools for completing assignments
• Strong time management and study habits
• Tools for starting and finishing schoolwork
• Strategies for prioritization
• Tools for building working memory

Discover effective ADHD and executive functioning strategies for kids to improve focus, organization, and follow-through at Summer Strategies for ADHD: Build Executive Function Skills | EBL Coaching.

Many families seek tutoring from EBL Coaching when they notice that their child:

• Is bright but underperforming in school
• Is easily overwhelmed by multi-step assignments
• Needs constant reminders to start and complete their work
• Struggles to stay organized across subjects
• Becomes easily frustrated with schoolwork
• Has poor self-esteem

Our coaching teaches students strategies for building their executive functioning skills and learning how to apply those strategies to their relevant schoolwork.

When to consider support

Many parents may be unsure as to when their child needs support. It might be time to seek executive functioning coaching if your child:

• Struggles to complete their homework independently
• Regularly loses assignments
• Has trouble managing their time
• Struggles to prioritize tasks
• Becomes easily overwhelmed by multi-step tasks
• Is struggling in school and performing below their potential

Seeking executive functioning support early can significantly improve your child’s academic performance and self-confidence.

Closing thoughts

Executive functioning skills are key components of academic success.

When these skills are weak, students can struggle immensely in school, and they likely need systematic instruction on how to learn, organize, and manage their homework effectively.

With the right coaching, students can move from feeling overwhelmed and disorganized to feeling confident and self-sufficient.

FAQs about Executive Functioning Coaching 

What is executive functioning in basic terms?
Executive functioning involves the brain’s ability to manage tasks such as planning, organizing, time management, and initiating tasks.

Why does my child struggle with executive functioning? 
Executive functioning weaknesses are often associated with ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental delays, or underdeveloped skills. These challenges are not caused by laziness or a lack of effort.

Can executive functioning skills be improved?
Yes! Executive functioning skills can absolutely be improved. These skills can be strengthened through structured tutoring, concrete strategies, and repeated practice.

How do I know if my child has executive functioning issues?
Common signs of executive functioning challenges include disorganization, forgetting schoolwork, trouble starting tasks, weak time management, and emotional breakdowns related to schoolwork.

Does EBL Coaching offer executive functioning coaching in NYC and New Jersey?
Yes! EBL Coaching provides executive functioning coaching to students throughout New York City and New Jersey. We help students build their executive functioning and academic skills through structured, research-based support.

Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, holds her Doctorate Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She has helped thousands of students with executive functioning challenges for over twenty years. She is also the author of the Strategies for Study Success student workbook series, the Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham student workbook program, and the Flags and Stars Multi-Sensory Math program, used by students and schools nationwide.

The post What Are Executive Functioning Skills? A Simple Guide for Parents appeared first on EBL Coaching.

What Is the Task Timer App and How Can It Help Students With ADHD?

Task Timer – Task Management App – App Store

Task Timer is a great executive functioning tool for helping students with ADHD strengthen their time management skills. Using this app, they can set times for specific tasks using a built-in visual timer, and can break down homework assignments, projects, and other school assignments into manageable steps. Students can add new tasks, like projects or upcoming tests, then set deadlines, receive notifications, add notes to tasks, and even filter them to just show overdue tasks. There are many useful features on this app to help students with ADHD build stronger time management skills.

What is MindNode and how can it help students with executive functioning challenges?

MindNode

MindNode is a useful app for students with ADHD that helps them organize their ideas into visual maps and outlines. This tool is useful for brainstorming before writing a paragraph or essay, along with taking notes when reading or listening to a lecture. Using the app, students can connect their thoughts with branches, group them together, and create visual maps to help them present information in an organized manner. The visual maps can also be converted into outlines, helping students see their ideas in different formats. The app offers customized colors, themes, and stickers.

What is the myHomework app and how can it help students who struggle managing their homework?

myHomework Student Planner & Digital Hall Pass System

myHomework is a digital assignment book that helps students with ADHD track their homework, projects, upcoming tests, and schedules. It allows users to create customized themes and includes reminders of upcoming due dates, the ability to prioritize tasks, and calendar synchronization. It’s easy for students to enter new tasks and then organize them by specific classes or due dates. The app can be used to break tasks down into individual, more manageable steps, helping students feel less overwhelmed and more on top of their workload. This is a great app for building time management, focusing, and study skills. It is a great organization app!

Opal

Opal – The #1 Screen Time App

Opal is a great app for helping students with ADHD build their focusing skills and avoid distractions so they can stay on task when completing their schoolwork. With the app, users can set a list of websites and apps that will be blocked or limited when they are working. It helps prevent mindless scrolling and surfing online for hours on end. Instead, it tracks app usage, gives students scores and information about their habits, and even integrates rewards to help them stay focused and motivated.

What is the app Flashcards Deluxe and how can it help students improve their study skills?

Flashcards Deluxe Lite App – App Store

Flashcards Deluxe is a useful app for helping students with ADHD create digital flash cards that they can use when studying and memorizing information for quizzes and tests. They can create their own flash cards or download shared ones and then can organize their cards into different categories and themes. It allows students to create visual drawings on their cards or add pictures, and integrates repetition of cards students struggled with, helping to ensure they learn the information before they are tested. Additionally, the app offers a text-to-speech feature and includes quizzes on the information they are studying with multiple choice answers.

Students with ADHD often struggle with the rising organizational demands of school. Encourage your child to try these apps to help them build stronger time management, planning, organization, and overall executive functioning skills.

While apps can be helpful tools for students who have ADHD, most students can benefit from one-on-one executive functioning coaching to further develop these skills.

If you are looking for individualized tutoring or executive functioning coaching in NYC, contact us at www.eblcoaching.com to see how we can help your child.

Frequently asked Questions

How do I choose the right app for a student with ADHD?
When choosing an app for your child with ADHD, consider the specific difficulties your child is having. If they need help with time management, choose an app that helps them build time management skills. Likewise, if they struggle with organization, staying on task, or study skills, find apps that can help them develop those skills.

Which apps help students with ADHD build their organizational skills?

There are many apps that can help students with ADHD build their organizational skills. Some of these apps include myHomework, Task Timer, and MindNode.

Do apps really help students with ADHD focus?
Yes! There are many apps that can help your child with ADHD improve their focusing ability. The apps can help them set reminders, reduce distractions, and learn tips for improving their executive functioning skills.

Dr. Emily Levy has been helping students with ADHD build their academic and executive functioning skills for over 20 years.

The post 5 Best Apps for Students with ADHD appeared first on EBL Coaching.

As students move through school, the executive functioning demands increase rapidly. Their school work will typically require stronger executive functioning skills, including planning, organization, task initiation, time management and other related skill areas. Without well-developed executive functioning skills, students may have difficulty excelling in school. Help your child develop stronger executive functioning skills with the ideas detailed below.

Visual Schedules

Children with executive functioning difficulties often become easily overwhelmed with a large workload and struggle to complete all the tasks they need to do in a given day. Help your child feel less overwhelmed and more in control of their day by creating a visual schedule. Start by creating a poster for morning tasks; list each item they need to complete when they wake up, such as brush their teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, and put their belongings in their backpack, and draw a picture next to each item to visually display the task. You might even add check boxes next to each item for every day of the week so they can check off each item as they complete it. Create a similar checklist for tasks they might do when they get home from school, like have a snack, complete their homework, go to an activity, eat dinner, shower, and brush their teeth, along with the corresponding visual images. The more structure and order you can bring to your child’s day, the more you can improve their executive functioning skills.

Distraction-Free Workspace

It’s important that your child has a quiet, distraction-free workspace that they use each day for completing their homework. This might be a desk in their bedroom or even a spot on a communal table, like in a kitchen or dining room. Make sure they have all of the supplies they need for completing their homework, including pens, pencils, paper, highlighters, scissors, and so on. When the supplies run low, help your child re-stock them before they start their homework to ensure they don’t wander around your home mid-homework session searching for supplies. Also set a consistent homework time, which might be right after school or after a short snack or movement break. Try to make the time and space where your child completes their schoolwork as consistent as possible.

Time Management

Many students with executive functioning challenges struggle with time management. Help your child develop stronger time management skills with the ET/AT strategy, as follows:

Have your child choose one assignment to start with and ask them to predict how long they think it will take to complete that task, and write the ET, or estimated time. Then have them track how long it actually takes them to complete the assignment and write down the AT, or actual time. They should do this for each assignment, comparing the ET to the AT, and they will likely note that when they first start using this strategy, there will be a big difference between the ET and the AT. However, the more they practice this strategy, the more realistic they will become with their time and the more these times will start to merge.

Incremental Breaks

For children with executive functioning challenges, sitting for long stretches of time to work on homework can be extremely difficult and can feel overwhelming. As a result, they might do anything possible to avoid starting their work. Try an incremental break strategy, where your child sets a timer and works for 20 minutes, then takes a 5 minute break. Have them do this cycle three times: 20 minutes of work followed by a 5 minute break, then take a longer break, around 20-30 minutes, and then start that cycle again until they are done with their school work. This approach helps them chunk their workload into smaller increments so it feels less overwhelming and more manageable.

Working Memory

Working memory is an aspect of executive functioning that plays a role in many academic tasks. It involves one’s ability to hold and manipulate information in their mind, which can affect most aspects of school, including reading, writing, and math. You can help your child build stronger working memory skills by playing games! Try playing the game Memory, where you flip over a series of cards and each player has to match two of the same cards to make a match. This game requires your child to remember the placement of a previously turned over card while looking for a match. You can also play a family story telling game, where one family member starts a story and the next person repeats what was already told in the story and then adds the next few lines, then moves onto the next family member, and so on. It’s a great game to play with friends as well!

Executive functioning skills become increasingly important as children move through school. Help your child develop stronger executive functioning skills with these ideas and they will be well on their way to success in school.

The post Help Your Child Develop Stronger Executive Functioning Skills appeared first on EBL Coaching.