Understanding Executive Function: A Guide for Parents
Many parents encounter similar hurdles when their child or teen begins to struggle with the increasing complexity of academic and daily life. You might recognize these common concerns:
What is Executive Functioning?
In the simplest sense, executive functioning refers to the ability to get things done—whether that’s cleaning a room, starting homework, or getting ready for the day. It is the ability to "execute" complex, multi-step tasks to completion. This includes the ability to visualize goals, plan ahead, and regulate emotions, impulses, and cognitive flexibility.
These processes are centered in the frontal lobe of the brain. Research shows this is the last area of the brain to fully reach maturation, typically taking 25–30 years. While children are developing, they often rely on adults to act as "surrogate frontal lobes," providing the structure needed until they can internalize these skills independently.
The 11 Core Skills
Researchers Peg Dawson and Richard Guare have identified 11 executive function skills that underlie academic and personal success, including:
The Role of Targeted Support
Sometimes children require extra instruction to acquire and master these skills—similar to seeking tutoring for academics or coaching for athletics. Diagnoses such as ADHD can cause a significant delay in executive function development (sometimes up to three years).
For those looking to bridge this gap, Executive Function coaching is a research-based support option. It empowers students by helping them discover their unique strengths and needs, build positive habits, and learn strategies to work with their own cognitive style. Research has consistently shown that students with stronger executive function capabilities achieve better academic, social, and vocational outcomes throughout their lives.
Explore Executive Function Coaching
If you are interested in discussing whether your child might be a good candidate for this type of professional support, Hime Time Educational Coaching and Support can help! Reach out to Melody at [email protected] to discuss options for both in-person and virtual coaching or visit www.himetimeedcoach.com.
- My daughter is struggling to keep up with her assignments in each of her classes.
- My son claims he has no homework, yet we find missing assignments piling up.
- We struggle to help our child prioritize tasks on a long list of “to-dos.”
- My son’s bedroom and backpack are disorganized, leading to lost papers and misplaced items.
- Our child never struggled to balance school and activities until middle school—what changed?
- Our child experiences sudden frustration and struggles with peer relationships.
What is Executive Functioning?
In the simplest sense, executive functioning refers to the ability to get things done—whether that’s cleaning a room, starting homework, or getting ready for the day. It is the ability to "execute" complex, multi-step tasks to completion. This includes the ability to visualize goals, plan ahead, and regulate emotions, impulses, and cognitive flexibility.
These processes are centered in the frontal lobe of the brain. Research shows this is the last area of the brain to fully reach maturation, typically taking 25–30 years. While children are developing, they often rely on adults to act as "surrogate frontal lobes," providing the structure needed until they can internalize these skills independently.
The 11 Core Skills
Researchers Peg Dawson and Richard Guare have identified 11 executive function skills that underlie academic and personal success, including:
- Working memory, emotional control, and flexibility.
- Sustained attention, task initiation, and planning/prioritization.
- Organization, time management, goal-directed persistence, and metacognition.
The Role of Targeted Support
Sometimes children require extra instruction to acquire and master these skills—similar to seeking tutoring for academics or coaching for athletics. Diagnoses such as ADHD can cause a significant delay in executive function development (sometimes up to three years).
For those looking to bridge this gap, Executive Function coaching is a research-based support option. It empowers students by helping them discover their unique strengths and needs, build positive habits, and learn strategies to work with their own cognitive style. Research has consistently shown that students with stronger executive function capabilities achieve better academic, social, and vocational outcomes throughout their lives.
Explore Executive Function Coaching
If you are interested in discussing whether your child might be a good candidate for this type of professional support, Hime Time Educational Coaching and Support can help! Reach out to Melody at [email protected] to discuss options for both in-person and virtual coaching or visit www.himetimeedcoach.com.