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25+ Everyday Ways to Build Executive Functioning Skills

March 2, 2021 by pathway2success Leave a Comment

Executive functioning skills are the complicated processes in our brains that help us accomplish everyday tasks. For kids and teens, these tasks might be things like starting morning work after entering the classroom, working through a long-term project, bringing the correct materials to class, and raising a hand to share thought in class.

For many of us with stronger executive functioning skills, we might take some of these tasks for granted. It’s worth mentioning, though, that these activities do not come easy for kids and teens who struggle with basic EF skills. If you work with a child or teenager who has difficulty with organization, planning, time management, attention, or self-control, you already know.

The good news is that executive functioning skills can be worked on in different ways. One technique is teaching the skills explicitly. This includes teaching about how the brain works, what it looks like to be organized, and how to manage work on a daily basis. I’ve recently created an executive functioning interactive workbook to work on 40 different skills. If you just want to get started with some explicit instruction, you can give that a try.

Teach executive functioning skills explicitly with an interactive workbook.

Teaching EF skills outright isn’t the only answer, though. There are many different ways these skills can be taught and integrated throughout the day. Making these skills part of your everyday can be extremely beneficial, since it reinforces the idea that these are in fact life skills we use often.

Here are 25+ Everyday Ways to Build Executive Functioning Skills:

Play board games. A number of board games target different executive functioning skills when you think about it. Scrabble works on flexibility and planning. Chess targets planning and working memory. Need more ideas? Read more about different games to target executive functioning skills.

Play board games. A number of board games target different executive functioning skills when you think about it. Scrabble works on flexibility and planning. Chess targets planning and working memory. Need more ideas? Read more about different games to target executive functioning skills.

Use think alouds. Thinking aloud while you work through problems is a healthy way to train kids and teens those same steps. For example, if you misplace something and you’re looking for it, you might say, “I can’t find my ___. Let me think about where I was last. First, I’ll check there.” This example is quite simple but can be done with virtually any task. Think alouds help kids and teens understand the step-by-step process we take to complete tasks.

Ask executive functioning-building questions. What are three tasks you need to accomplish today? What are some possible triggers that might cause you to lose your cool? What are ways you can study for a quiz? These simple questions can help ignite discussions about executive functioning skills. You can come up with your own or use these executive functioning task cards that are ready to go!

Ask executive functioning-building questions. What are three tasks you need to accomplish today? What are some possible triggers that might cause you to lose your cool? What are ways you can study for a quiz? These simple questions can help ignite discussions about executive functioning skills. You can come up with your own or use these executive functioning task cards that are ready to go!

Talk about time. Many kids and teens struggle with a sense of time. Talking about time and deadlines can help them make sense of this mystery. For example, you might say, “We have 10 minutes left before going to lunch. That gives us enough time to stop what we’re doing and clean up before we need to be there.”

Organize or clean together. Start small and work together to clean or tidy some areas in the classroom or house. For example, choose to tidy up a bookshelf by putting books back in a neat way. If this is a difficult task for kids, take turns. Make it more fun by listening to music or chatting as you organize.

Give time to be bored. In our digital world, kids and teens are often too busy. Give time to be bored by losing the gadgets and giving downtime. Kids and teens can color, draw, build, or play games. The options are endless, and this is a great way to build on flexibility, creativity, and perseverance.

Give time to be bored. In our digital world, kids and teens are often too busy. Give time to be bored by losing the gadgets and giving downtime. Kids and teens can color, draw, build, or play games. The options are endless, and this is a great way to build on flexibility, creativity, and perseverance.

Make a schedule. Before starting each day, take a few minutes and write out the schedule. This is a helpful technique to model for kids and teens, but it also gives them an overview of what to expect for the day.

Estimate time to complete tasks. Before doing any activity, stop and think out loud about how long you think it will take you to finish. You can even time yourself and assess how well you estimated. This can be done with practically anything, but a few examples are tidying up a room, writing homework down, or getting cleaned up with an activity.

Use literature to talk about executive functioning skills. From organization to perseverance, many different picture books (and chapter books) can guide you through these skills. Planning Isn’t My Priority by Julia Cook is a great book to talk about study habits and planning, for example. Read here for a more comprehensive list of books to support social emotional learning skills.

Take breaks when you need them. Teach that taking breaks can be a healthy strategy to improve focus and motivation. Use these mindful brain breaks with a nature focus to get the practice started in a fun way.

Build something out of nothing. Gather materials and give free design time. This can be crafts, building, or even inventing something new. Hands-on activities allow for problem-solving, flexibility, and creativity.

Learn something new. Choose a topic or idea and learn together! For example, if a teen is interested in outer space, make a list of questions you might wonder and look them up together. Read books and watch movies. You can also let kids and teens explore a new idea or hobby entirely on their own. This also serves as an important reminder that learning should be a lifelong activity.

Write in a planner or calendar. A simple daily task with lifelong benefits, writing in a planner (or calendar) helps kids build on planning, organization, and time management skills. Make it a habit to keep a calendar updated on regular basis, and if a child is old enough, have them keep one too!

Play sports. Many sports target a number of executive functioning skills from attention and flexibility to perseverance and self-control. As you play, talk about the skills! For example, if you are playing basketball, you might talk about how it is important to stay focused on the ball.

Hold a conversation. Chatting about topics is a great way to work on attention and working memory while also targeting a variety of other social skills. Use this free printable list of questions to get the conversation started.

Do arts and crafts. Spend time working with your hands to increase focus and creativity. Crafts are also an engaging way to work on a variety of social emotional skills.

Practice mental math. Math problems are one of the best ways to work on working memory with kids and teens. Make it more fun by taking turns. After you give a math problem for them to solve, make sure they give you a challenging one right back.

Write in a journal. Spend a few minutes a day dedicated to journal writing time. This can be free write time or writing on a given topic.

Make lists for tasks. In the classroom, you can make a list before starting a new project or beginning a new lesson. At home, lists come in handy before going grocery shopping or beginning homework. Make lists and check tasks off as you go to model organization and planning skills.

Do puzzles. Problem-solving, flexibility, organization, planning, and working memory are all skills used when working through puzzles. Use hands-on puzzles or find a digital version!

Exercise. While exercise itself doesn’t improve executive functioning skills, it paves the way for the real learning to happen. Make it a routine to exercise or stretch in the morning or before a study session.

Exercise. While exercise itself doesn't improve executive functioning skills, it paves the way for the real learning to happen. Make it a routine to exercise or stretch in the morning or before a study session.

Role-play through situations and problems. Help kids and teens problem-solve by working through real-life problems. When something comes up, act out how you might work through it.

Practice coping strategies. Simply put, coping strategies should be practiced every day! This is to help kids and teens be able to use them when they need them the most. Use this list of 100 coping strategies for kids and teens to get started.

Practice coping strategies. Simply put, coping strategies should be practiced every day! This is to help kids and teens be able to use them when they need them the most. Use this list of 100 coping strategies for kids and teens to get started.

Act out scenes from movies. Reciting scenes can be a highly motivating way to strengthen attention and memory skills.

Talk through “what would you do?” situations. Use real-life situations to talk through what you would do. This is a helpful technique to activate the brain before encountering situations. Come up with your own scenarios or use these problem-solving cards to get started.

Talk through "what would you do?" situations. Use real-life situations to talk through what you would do. This is a helpful technique to activate the brain before encountering situations. Come up with your own scenarios or use these problem-solving cards to get started.

Discuss goals. Talk about the goal you are working on. Discuss the plans and reflect on progress. Every day you can do at least one small thing to work towards those goals. It’s important for kids and teens to see this early on!

Use brain games. Mental puzzles work on executive functioning skills, but all along feel like a game! Some of my favorite brain games are brainteasers. Use this executive functioning brain games workbook to help kids and teens unlock their brain powers.

Add a new ending to a book or movie. Help kids and teens think outside the box by adding a new ending to a book you’ve read or movie you’ve seen.

Reward yourself after finishing a task. Sometimes our culture is so driven on work that we forget to reward ourselves. This is a critical element to helping kids and teens feel proud of the work they’ve accomplished. Whether it’s a quick break, time watching a quick video clip, or an ice cream, it’s okay to give yourself a reward sometimes.

Filed Under: Executive Functioning Skills

How to Integrate Executive Functioning Skills into the Classroom

February 2, 2021 by pathway2success Leave a Comment

25+ strategies to integrate executive functioning skills in the classroom

If we want learners to develop strong executive functioning skills, it is critical to integrate them into the daily classroom. Integrating executive functioning skills into classroom instruction just makes sense. In short, this means taking important skills like organization, planning, and self-control, and practicing them right alongside average daily tasks.

At first it might seem overwhelming to teach executive functioning skills. It’s important to note that every educator is already a teacher of executive functioning skills. These are skills educators and students use every day (in fact, all people use them every day). Some ways students use them include:

  • Students organize their desks and binders.
  • They pay attention during conversations and class lessons.
  • Students initiate tasks when starting work.
  • They persevere through difficult tasks and assignments.
  • Students use self-control to make positive choices.

This is why integrating this instruction into the day makes so much sense. Kids and teens are already using these skills, so let’s teach and support them along the way.

Of course, integrating EF skills is great, but I’m also a huge advocate for teaching these skills explicitly too (you can feel free to read my 12 reasons why). If you want to skip straight to teaching these critical skills explicitly, I’ve got you covered. One great way to start is using this executive functioning workbook. It’s one of my favorites because it’s no prep – just read and learn together. If you want more ideas for integrating in other ways, though, keep reading!

Executive functioning workbook

Below I’ve listed some examples for ways to integrate executive functioning skills into the regular classroom instruction. Some of these techniques educators might already do in the classroom. Of course, that’s great! Moving forward, though, it’s even more helpful to be explicit about what you are teaching, why it matters, and how students can use these skills in the future. Name the executive functioning skills kids and using and spending time discussing how it can help them.

It’s also worth mentioning that integrating executive functioning skills isn’t a one-time activity. These tasks can be done again and again. They might need to be reviewed and re-practiced. The good news is that all learners benefit from learning and practicing executive functioning skills. In fact, teaching executive functioning skills too much is almost enough. The goal is that kids and teens learn these skills so well that they no longer need adults reminding them to organize their binder, write down their homework, or make a list of what they need to study.

Teaching executive functioning skills too much is almost enough.

Here are 25+ strategies for integrating executive functioning skills into the classroom:

Explain how executive functioning skills are used in the classroom.

Kids and teens need to know they are already using executive functioning skills every day in class. In math, we use working memory to solve problems in our head and we use flexibility to try a new way when one strategy isn’t working. In reading, we use perseverance to figure out a word we don’t know and megacognition to think about what we’re reading. These are just a few quick examples to begin the conversation. Grab these free printable and digital executive functioning posters to start.

Executive functioning skills posters.

Use think alouds.

A think aloud is the process of actually saying the words out loud that you are thinking. This seems like such a simple task, but it has big impacts! Many times, kids and teens with executive functioning challenges don’t understand why we do certain things. Think alouds can change that. For example, you might say, “I am writing the due date of the upcoming project up on the board right now. This will help all of us remember that it’s coming up. You might want to write it down in your planner, too.” Again, this can be done with literally any task.

Use think-alouds to help build executive functioning skills.

Teach and practice study strategies before a quiz.

It only makes sense to discuss study strategies prior to a test or quiz. Of course, this benefits kids by giving them concrete ways to prepare for the upcoming assessment, but it also helps build a toolbox of study skills for a later time. Different assessments might mean different study strategies. For example, before a math test on fractions, students might want to look back on older homework assignments and re-do past examples. Spend time practicing a few in class before sending kids home to study on their own. Read these tips for teaching study skills for more ideas.

Highlight one executive functioning skill each week.

Even if you don’t have an entire class period to cover executive functioning skills, you can dedicate a week (or month – whatever works best for you) to cover them as you go. Start with planning. Spend a few minutes explaining what planning is and why we do it. Then, throughout the week, make it a point to highlight specific examples of when kids are planning, such as writing down in their homework logs or writing an outline before starting a complete report. Grab this free printable executive functioning poster to help explain each skill.

Executive functioning free printable poster

Discuss and list out strategies for getting stuck on assignments.

All kids and teens get stuck sometimes. Before challenging assignments, make a list of ideas for what to do when they don’t know the answers. Make a list to keep on the board or encourage kids to write down their own list ideas. This can even be a poster up in the classroom somewhere you review often. These strategies build flexibility and perseverance along the way.

Make mini-deadlines for a long-term project together.

When assigning a long-term project, take a few moments to map out important mini-deadlines with your students. So often, a long-term project is daunting for anyone. Breaking it apart into more manageable tasks can help with task initiation, organization, planning, and time management.

Map out mini-deadlines for projects to build executive functioning skills.

Give reminders for expected behaviors.

While giving reminders about behavior is just a best practice in the classroom, it’s also a way to strengthen executive functioning skills. Before a lesson, remind kids what behaviors you should see that would help them stay focused and pay attention. Before walking to another class, have a quick chat about how to stay quiet when walking in the hall (self-control). Not only will these reminders help students in the moment, but they can be a great way to reinforce executive functioning skills too.

Give daily and/or weekly organization time.

Daily (and weekly) organization time has huge benefits! Kids and teens need extra time to put papers in the correct spot, tidy up binders, and toss out pages they don’t need. This extra time reinforces the idea that organization is an ongoing practice (not something you do once!). Make it a regular routine by scheduling it into your day.

Give daily and/or weekly organization time to support with executive functioning skills.

Exercise.

Movement is shown to increase skills for attention and memory. Make it a morning routine to do stretches, practice yoga, or do jumping jacks. You can change up the routine and even have student leaders (kids love this!). Most importantly, you’ll help set the stage for success for the rest of the day.

Use a visual timer.

A visual timer is a helpful tool that shows how much time is left for something. You can use these during quizzes, working sessions, organization time, or during a transition. It’s a great way to incorporate time management skills into whatever you are already doing.

Visual timer

Use task cards to discuss EF skills during downtime.

Use time during the minutes before class starts, while kids are waiting for the bus, or even between transitions. Every minute is valuable! Spend this time discussing questions and situations to build stronger executive functioning skills. Put your executive functioning task cards on a ring and ask the questions you have time for. Here are a few questions you might want to try (or grab these executive functioning task cards that are ready to go!):

  • How could staying organized help you reduce stress? (organization)
  • You have a lot of homework and you have practice at 6pm. What can you do? (planning)
  • List three tasks you need to accomplish and estimate the time it might take to complete them. (time management)
  • What are some routines that could help someone get started with work right away? (task initiation)
  • A teacher in class gives a direction. What can you do to remember it? (working memory)
  • Give two examples of times when someone might use self-control in school. (self-control)
Use task cards to discuss EF skills during downtime.

Preview changes to the schedule and discuss staying flexible.

When a change to the schedule is coming up, spend time previewing and discussing the switch. For example, if you know there will be an assembly where students will miss part of their art time, bring it up sooner rather than later. This can help kids and teens build skills for flexibility while coping with change.

Talk about executive functioning skills in literature.

Characters show perseverance, self-control, and flexibility. Use such examples to talk about executive functioning skills and why they matter. These skills can be weaved into practically any short story or text, but you can also choose books that specifically target EF skills. Here are just a few:

  • What We’ll Build by Oliver Jeffers (planning)
  • Respect and Take Care of Things by Meredith Johnson (organization)
  • The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey (task initiation)
  • Your Fantastic, Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak (metacognition)
  • My Magical Choices by Becky Cummings (self-control)
  • Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan (perseverance)

I’ve also developed a set of executive functioning read-aloud stories with activities. These are great to teach skills like planning and time management in a concrete and fun way.

Talk about executive functioning skills in literature.

Role-play scenarios.

Instead of just talking about writing homework down or focusing in class, act out what these behaviors look like. You might say, “Who can show me what it looks like to put this paper away in your binder right away?” Kids and teens will love the acting practice, and it will help them commit these behaviors to memory for the future.

Model and practice positive self-talk.

Positive self-talk is a critical component for flexibility, self-control, and perseverance. Model, practice, and encourage positive self-talk often! Some examples of statements you might use include:

  • “This is tough, but I can do this with hard work.” (perseverance)
  • “I can think this through and make a plan.” (planning)
  • “I am in control of my choices.” (self-control)
  • “This didn’t go like I expected, but I’m going to go with the flow.” (flexibility)
Positive self-talk is a critical component for flexibility, self-control, and perseverance. Model, practice, and encourage positive self-talk often!

Model using a calendar and homework assignment list.

Kids and teens do what they see. Keep a calendar in the classroom visible where important dates are posted on a regular basis. Similarly, set up a homework spot in the classroom where daily assignments are listed each day. Not only does this provide a clear model for students on how to stay organized and plan, but it also serves as a critical support to those who need an extra boost.

Use digital tools and supports.

Apps like MyHomework and Remind can be extremely helpful to keep kids and teens on track. Even online games and websites can provide a little extra support. One of my favorites is this site filled with virtual manipulatives kids can use in math. Feel free to explore more digital supports for executive functioning skills.

Send ideas home.

Not all executive functioning work needs to be done in school! Encourage families to plan a meal together (planning), learn something new (metacognition), or do a puzzle (working memory). Use this free digital and printable poster to send home to families with some ideas to start.

Executive functioning home ideas printable

Estimate time for tasks.

Build time management skills by helping kids and teens understand how long tasks might or should take. You can even have them give their best estimates, record these, and compare once the task is done.

Allow work re-dos.

Let’s face it – kids and teens don’t always do their best on academic work. Consider times to allow kids to re-do their work for extra points. For example, if a student does poorly on a quiz, you might assign them to re-do the problems they got wrong and give a short written explanation for what they fixed to make it right. This helps kids and teens work on metacognition by thinking about their own thinking. They also work on flexibility by considering what they did wrong and what they need to change. Of course, this task also builds perseverance.

Play games.

Games are a great way to give a break or reward at the end of the week. It’s easy to integrate executive functioning skills playing games when you are purposeful about the skills you’re practicing. Here are a few of my tried and true favorites:

  • Scrabble (planning, flexibility)
  • Jenga (planning, self-control)
  • 5 Second Rule (time management, metacognition)

Learn more about other games to build and strengthen execuitve functioning skills.

Assign executive functioning work for early finishers.

If students finish early, give them the “reward” of working on a digital executive functioning workbook. It’s a fun and interactive set of lessons that teach meaningful skills, such as being self-aware, understanding how the brain works, how to plan, using self-control, getting organized, and more.

Executive functioning digital workbook

Model staying organized.

In the fast-paced world of being an educator, it’s not always easy to stay organized. Papers pile up. It’s important to note that kids and teens benefit from seeing more organized spaces in the classroom. That includes student workspaces, teacher desks, and even visual spaces around the room. Work to avoid clutter and organize spaces on a regular basis.

Use questioning techniques.

Rather than telling students what to do, use more questions. In other words, instead of telling kids what to do, try asking them what they should do. This takes a little longer, but builds critical problem-solving skills that help learners become independent over time. This practice prompts kids and teens to think and problem-solve on their own. These are really only limited by your imagination, but here are a few sample phrases you might try:

  • “What should you do next?”
  • “What do you think the best way to solve that might be?”
  • “So, what can you do?”
  • “What could you try?”
  • “What are some steps to help you accomplish that?”
Rather than telling students what to do, use more questions to build executive functioning skills.

Give time checks during working sessions.

Kids and teens who struggle with time management often lack a good understanding of time in general. During working sessions, make a quick note when students have five or ten minutes left. Even better, you can try using a bell or chime to give a time warning.

Come up with “study lists” together before assessments.

In order for kids and teens to be able to study well, they need to know what to study. Believe it or not, this can be a huge mystery for kids who struggle with executive functioning. Before a quiz or test, make a study list with your students. While handing out a pre-made study list is helpful, it’s even better to do this practice with students. That’s because you are engaging their brains to start to think about what they need to study and why.

Use visuals.

Visual supports can serve as simple and permanent reminders about executive functioning skills. For example, you can have a poster about perseverance encouraging kids to work hard and not give up when something in tough. You can even add your own strategies for what to do when they get stuck. Post these visuals around the room and refer to them whenever the particular skills come up.

Visual supports can serve as simple and permanent reminders about executive functioning skills.

Discuss prioritizing assignments.

Being able to prioritize is a critical skill for planning, organization, time management, and even task initiation. When many different activities are assigned all at once, make the most of your time by talking about how to prioritize them. For example, imagine students have a history quiz at the end of the week, a journal entry due tomorrow, and a book report that needs to be finished next Thursday. Spend time talking about how to juggle and prioritize which work should come first. Let kids brainstorm and share what works for them. So often, kids learn best from one another.

Use executive functioning activities as brain breaks.

All kids need a break sometimes. This is an important time to clear the mind. It just gives a reset! Use this time to play games and activities that also target executive functioning skills. For example, Simon Says is a simple game that can build self-control and attention skills. Need more ideas? Take a look at these executive functioning play activities!

Use executive functioning activities as brain breaks.

Post an executive functioning bulletin board.

I’m a believer that visuals and bulletin boards in the classroom should be meaningful. Use this space to provide reminders about skills like planning, organization, self-control, and perseverance. Make your own with your students, or use this ready-to-go executive functioning bulletin board.

Give responsibilities.

Responsibilities themselves build critical executive functioning skills. So often, kids and teens really enjoy having jobs in the classroom. Assign weekly or monthly responsibilities to students to help build their skills for planning, organization, time management, and perseverance. Some examples of responsibilities might include:

  • Board cleaner
  • Note messenger
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Attendance taker
  • Gardener
  • Librarian
  • Technology support

Integrate arts and crafts.

Everyone needs an arts and crafts break sometimes! Consider adding some executive functioning skill work right into this time. One really fun and meaningful craft is to create “executive functioning keys” for each of the skills. You can then have kids hold up their keys when they are using the skill later on.

Executive functioning keys

Conference individually with learners to work on goals.

Individual conferencing is a great way to work on a variety of executive functioning skills, and it can be done by teachers of any grade or academic area. Meet with students briefly once a week or once a month (this is going to depend on the number of students you have, of course). Mark SMART goals together for aspirations your students want to achieve. Go over how they are doing, what goals they’d like to work on in your class, and strategize a plan together. This builds skills for planning, organization, time management, flexibility, attention, and perseverance.

I hope some of these ideas have been helpful! If you love this article, please make sure to share with others, and feel free to comment below with any strategies you use in your classroom.

25+ strategies to integrate executive functioning skills

Filed Under: Executive Functioning Skills, Tips for Teachers

30+ Digital Executive Functioning Tools & Activities

January 4, 2021 by pathway2success 1 Comment

Digital tools for executive functioning

Planning, organization, time management, attention, and self-control: These are just a few executive functioning skills that all kids and teens should learn. With such a focus on remote learning, I’ve put together a list with some digital tools and supports to help learners strengthen their executive functioning skills.

It’s worth mentioning that these resources can be used during in-person or remote learning. From interactive workbooks to apps to games, it’s important to try different strategies to find what works best for your learners.

Just a note: This list started off smaller, but I found myself continually adding to it (and I hope to continue to!). Some of the more robust resources below are paid. I’ve also included many free links to websites, apps, and even several of my own resources (including task cards, posters, and activities). I hope you find these supports helpful.

Interactive Workbooks

Executive Functioning Digital Workbook from A-Z. An interactive workbook with moveable pieces for 40 different executive functioning skills.

Executive Functioning Digital Workbook from A-Z

Self-Control Activity Book. An engaging interactive workbook that helps students learn how to be a self-control STAR.

Self-Control Activity Book

Digital Posters

Executive Functioning Skills Poster. A visual and teaching tool to represent each of the 10 core executive functioning skills from planning to perseverance.

Executive Functioning Skills Poster

Executive Functioning Academic Posters. A set of three digital and printable posters to highlight how EF skills are used in math, reading, and writing.

Executive Functioning Academic Posters

Daily Emotions Check-In. A free 5-step daily check-in to provide support with self-control and managing emotions.

Daily Emotions Check-In

Executive Functioning Skills for Home Poster. A printable and digital poster to send home with families who might want some extra support with executive functioning practice at home.

Executive Functioning Skills for Home Poster

Apps

Remind. A communication app that helps send reminders to students and families about important dates.

MyHomework. A student planner that helps keep track of homework and other assignments.

Time Planner. An app that helps make to-do lists and track time on assignments.

2Do. Planning app for project and task management.

Train Your Brain. A fun game that helps work on attention skills.

Mind Map. An app that connects ideas to create graphic organizers.

To Do Reminder. Create simple to-do lists and reminders.

Games

Online games and puzzles for executive functioning skills.

2-D Shapes Sorting (TopMarks). This game encourages using organization, planning, and flexible thinking skills as kids sort items into a grid of different categories.

Concentration Games (MentalUp). This site has a large selection of games that focus on visual attention, focusing, and memory skills. Very engaging and fun!

Jigsaw Puzzles (Jigsaw Planet). Many different digital puzzles kids and teens can work on. Puzzles build skills for planning, attention, and perseverance.

Chess (Chess.com). Use this online Chess game to have students play against the computer at different difficulties. Chess is a strategy game that works on planning, flexibility, and perseverance.

Spot the Difference (Cool Math Games). Practice attention skills with this spot the difference game.

Simon Says (Memozor). A classic game, Simon Says helps kids and teens remember sequential patterns that work on attention and working memory skills.

Self-Control Game. This is a game I originally designed as a printable board game, but added a digital version to support more learners. Just hit the play button on the video to read and practice a variety of situation cards for the game.

Self-Control Game

Word Ladders (Turtle Diary). Word ladders are a vocabulary game that allow kids to build words on each other. These help kids and teens work on metacognition, working memory, and flexibility.

Scrabble (Hasbro). One of my favorite EF games, Scrabble builds on skills for planning, attention, and flexibility. This can also be a great relationship-building game to play with students.

Digital Lessons & Activities

Executive Functioning Lessons. An introductory set of digital and printable activities to teach about 10 core executive functioning skills.

Executive Functioning Lessons

Self-Control Boot Camp. Lessons and activities specifically targeted to teach and improve self-control skills.

Self-Control Boot Camp

Coping Strategies Practice. A coping strategies list to help identify, discuss, and practice coping skills for self-control.

Coping Strategies Practice

Organization Boot Camp. A set of lessons and activities to teach organization skills.

Organization Boot Camp

Executive Functioning Choice Boards. Printable and digital choice boards filled with meaningful practice for all 10 executive functioning skills.

Executive Functioning Choice Boards

Executive Functioning Advanced Workbook. One of my most comprehensive executive functioning workbooks, filled with meaningful tools to help kids and teens.

Executive Functioning Advanced Workbook

Mindful Morning Check-In. A digital activity to promote a calm, focused, and successful start to the day.

Mindful Morning Check-In

Executive Functioning Flip Book. A printable and digital flip book used to teach about the 10 executive functioning skills.

Executive Functioning Flip Book

Videos

Mindful Focus Compilation. A set of videos to help kids practice mindful breathing and other activities to improve focus and promote a feeling of calm.

Spot the Differences. A set of five “spot the difference pictures” that can build skills for attention and problem-solving.

Digital Task Cards

Executive Functioning Task Cards. Hundreds of printable and digital task cards to start conversations about planning, organization, time management, and more.

Executive Functioning Task Cards

Executive Functioning Task Cards (for younger learners). Another set of EF task cards designed specifically for elementary learners.

Executive Functioning Task Cards (for younger learners)

Problem-Solving Task Cards. A free set of problem-solving task cards to help kids and young adults think of solutions to problems.

Problem-Solving Task Cards

Websites

Countdown timer. Use this website as a stopwatch. This can serve as a visual timer during work sessions, or a tool to help kids work independently. This site has many other timers to check out too!

Graphic organizers. Use this site to create your own interactive graphic organizers with Google Draw.

Virtual manipulatives. Large selection of virtual manipulatives for math, such as number lines, unifix cubes, and base ten blocks.

Virtual manipulatives library. Another large vault of virtual manipulatives and tools to help kids and teens.

Learning to code. Tools and sites that help teach kids and teens learn how to program. These activities can be highly motivating for learners while working on skills for planning, working memory, and perseverance.

Simplenote Note-taking. Website and app that helps sync all notes to one location.

Boom Cards

Organization Boom Cards. Use these executive functioning Boom Cards to practice EF skills in an interactive way. Boom Cards are great to provide immediate feedback to learners as they work on each card.

Organization Boom Cards

Hybrid Learning

Guide to Hybrid Learning. If you are embarking on a hybrid learning journey, a good friend of mine put together this incredible website filled with classroom setup suggestions, tools, expectations, and more to help get started. While this isn’t specific to executive functioning, I felt it was worthy to add in, as switching from classroom to online learning can be extremely difficult for any learners (especially those with executive functioning needs).

Suggestions?

I would love to add to this list! If you have free websites or apps you’d like me to add, feel free to comment below or reach out to let me know.

30+ Digital Tools for Executive Functioning

Filed Under: Executive Functioning Skills

12 Reasons to Teach Executive Functioning Skills Explicitly

December 8, 2020 by pathway2success Leave a Comment

Executive functioning skills are some of the most foundational elements for academic and social success. They are the skills that help us to plan, stay organized, pay attention to important information, use strategies to get us back on track when we veer off course, be flexible when things don’t go our way, and persevere through challenges.

Executive functioning skills aren’t just an extra. They are the critical foundation that allows kids and teens (and yes, even adults) to be successful in the classroom and beyond. With that, they deserve attention.

Can executive functioning skills be taught?

Yes. Executive functioning skills are malleable. This means that we, as educators, can help kids and teens improve these skills over time.

The teen that struggles with bringing the correct materials to class can learn new strategies and techniques to help them be more organized. The student who acts out in aggressive ways when things go to plan can acquire stronger skills for self-control and flexibility. They can learn new coping strategies and improve their ability to problem-solve. The learner that zones out during important classroom instruction can practice strategies to check in with themselves, helping them improve focus over time.

These are just a few examples but they prove one simple point: executive functioning skills can be taught, practiced, and strengthened over time. Already set to get started? Here are some executive functioning resources to make your life easier.

Get started with an interactive executive functioning workbook.

When can executive functioning skills be taught?

As an educator myself, I know that time is valuable and precious in the classroom. Here are some ways to sneak in executive functioning instruction:

  • Advisory period – Arrange students in small groups that meet on a regular basis. Use this advisory time to work on all sorts of skills, including executive functioning skills.
  • Morning meeting – Plan time each day for morning meeting. Use this time to perform greetings, check-in about emotions, and teach valuable skills like executive functioning skills.
  • The 1st 10 minutes of class – If no other time is available, spend the first few minutes of class discussing and teaching EF skills to your learners. This works whether you teach math, science, reading, or anything else.
  • Academic tutoring support time – For learners who need academic tutoring support, add executive functioning skills instruction into what they are learning.
  • Health or life skills class – Since executive functioning skills are in fact life skills, it is completely logical to add them into a health or life skills time.

Why should executive functioning skills be taught explicitly?

Executive functioning skills require support, practice, and direct instruction. Here are 12 reasons why these skills should be taught explicitly:

#1 Executive functioning skills are shaped, not innate.

Kids and teens aren’t born with a toolbox filled with executive functioning skills. Instead, they are born with the capacities to improve them over time. While it’s true that some learners acquire these skills early on at home, through interactions with peers, and as part of the hidden curriculum, many learners do not.

These skills deserve time to be shaped and supported in the best ways possible. Quite often, that means explicitly teaching skills like how to organize your binder, study strategies, techniques to persevere through challenges, and how to keep your cool in times of stress.

#2 Executive functioning skills are life skills.

Sometimes when we talk about executive functioning skills, we only think of them through the lens of school when actually these skills are used our entire lives. We use planning and time management to schedule our daily and weekly responsibilities. We use organization and task initiation to keep a tidy space at home. We use self-control, flexibility, and perseverance to handle difficult decisions every day.

Executive functioning skills are not just academic skills, but life skills, and they deserve to be taught.

#3 Executive functioning skills build independence.

As educators, one of the main goals we have for learners is to teach them to be independent. Stronger EF skills can help with just that. These abilities help kids and teens make better choices, manage their time well, plan, and work through challenges. In essence, all of these abilities also help them become independent. Executive functioning skills don’t just help kids and teens in the moment; they empower them to make positive choices for the future.

#4 Executive functioning skills impact social development.

Social skills and executive functioning skills are linked, which provides another reason why EF skills should be targeted and taught. When learners have meaningful conversations with others, they need to use working memory to think about what they want to talk about and attention skills to stay focused. We also use self-control skills on a regular basis to make socially-sound choices. When we strengthen executive functioning skills, we are strengthening social skills too.

#5 Strong executive functioning skills support academic growth.

Think about all the executive functioning skills kids and teens use during the academic day: focusing on instruction (attention), keeping materials orderly (organization), starting work right away (task initiation), knowing what material to study for a quiz (metacognition), working through challenges (perseverance). The list goes on.

Strong executive functioning skills support academic growth. While it’s true that any educator can tell you this from personal experience, the research also supports the link between executive functioning skills and academic success.

#6 Some learners need to learn these skills explicitly.

I’ll be the first to say I’m a huge advocate for integrating executive functioning skills into the curriculum and what you are already teaching. This is efficient and often effective. Not all kids and teens pick up on this type of learning, though. Sometimes, skills need to be taught explicitly.

This means teaching exactly what organization is, what it looks like, when you should engage in the skill, and how to assess yourself as you go. When you think about it, there is actually a lot to learn for every single executive functioning skill! And since some learners will not pick up on all of these skills on their own, they need to be taught.

#7 Executive functioning skills are a component of social emotional learning.

Social emotional learning has gotten a lot of attention lately, and that’s a great thing. It’s worth mentioning, though, that executive functioning skills fit into social emotional learning quite well. That’s because they are skills related to self-management, decision-making, and self-awareness. Teaching executive functioning skills support social emotional learning too.

#8 Executive functioning interventions are critical for struggling learners.

Executive functioning skill instruction is truly helpful for every learner. With that said, struggling learners need these skills are a far greater level. These are the kids who forget their binders, misplace homework, and can’t focus in class. These are the young adults who get frustrated when the schedule doesn’t go the way they thought it would and give up when questions on a test seem too hard.

These are the learners who need executive functioning skills right away. When a learner struggles with executive functioning skills like organization, time management, and planning, we should take it as seriously as when someone struggles with reading or math.

#9 Research shows executive functioning skills are important.

Even though any educator can tell you that executive functioning skills are critical to academic success on their own, it’s worth mentioning that the research supports this too. Strong executive functioning skills can be an early indicator of academic success.

And this just makes sense, right? When learners are better able to manage their time, focus during lessons, and persevere through difficult tasks, they are going to do better academically. Executive functioning skills certainly strengthen all academic skills from reading to math and beyond.

#10 Teaching EF skills proactively can reduce academic challenges later on.

So often when we think of executive functioning instruction, we think of it as an intervention for struggling learners. While it’s true that learners who already struggle with basic executive functioning skills absolutely need this type of support (as mentioned above), sometimes this can miss the bigger picture.

By teaching executive functioning skills proactively, we can reduce academic challenges later on. It essentially gives kids and teens the building blocks they need to be successful from the start.

I’m an advocate for teaching EF skills early on, even in elementary school. Short stories can teach skills like planning, organization, and time management. Games like Jenga and Pictionary can provide practice with self-control, planning, and perseverance.

If you are looking for where to start, I developed executive functioning resources specifically for elementary learners.

#11 Learning skills for executive functioning requires lots of practice.

For kids and teens who lack strong executive functioning skills like planning, organization, and time management, improving them can often be a great deal of work. It’s important to carve out time to focus on teaching them. Kids and teens already have a lot going on with academics from learning new math skills to writing history papers. By dedicating some amount of time to executive functioning skills, it can provide that extra practice for learners who need it the most.

#12 Executive functioning skills teach positive study habits.

Planning for a long-term project, reflecting on progress, and getting organized before an exam – these are all helpful study habits kids and teens can take with them throughout their lives. Simply put, teaching executive functioning skills also teaches study skills and habits.

Are you interesting in starting to teach executive functioning skills? Use some of these articles and resources to get started:

  • Understanding Executive Functioning Skills
  • Executive functioning resources for teens
  • Executive functioning resources for elementary learners
  • Games to Improve Executive Functioning Skills
  • 15+ Executive Functioning Strategies Every Teacher Can Use
  • 5 Daily Struggles for Kids with Executive Functioning Challenges

Filed Under: Executive Functioning Skills

10+ Phrases to Avoid Saying to Learners with Executive Functioning Challenges

October 6, 2020 by pathway2success 1 Comment

Kids and teens who struggle with executive functioning challenges go through a lot every day. From trying to focus in class, remembering to turn homework in, and working through daily challenges that pop up, it can be stressful. Executive functioning challenges are real.

What are executive functioning challenges?

Executive functioning skills are the life skills we use every day to accomplish daily tasks. They include planning, organization, time management, task initiation, self-control, working memory, flexibility, and perseverance.

When you think about it, these skills are ingrained in everything we do. For example, when you need to clean or tidy a room, you use a variety of skills all at once. You need organization skills to help you figure out where things go, time management skills to work most efficiently, self-control to help you stay with it when you want to watch television instead, and task initiation skills to get started in the first place.

Over 10 phrases to avoid saying to kids and teens with executive functioning challenges.. and what to say instead! Use these strategies to build kids up and help them become independent.
Grab your free executive functioning skills poster.

Humans aren’t pre-programmed with these skills. Some children learn them at home, with peers, during real life situations, and at school. While many kids and teens walk into the classroom with these skills intact, it’s safe to say that many still do not.

Kids and teens with executive functioning challenges are going to struggle with a variety of tasks. As individuals, we each have our own unique profile of executive functioning strengths and weaknesses, so this may look different for different kids.

You might see a student who loses homework assignments or never remembers to bring the right binder to class (planning and organization). This might be a child who continually calls out in class and acts in impulsive ways (self-control). You might see this in a learner who gives up too quickly on assignments because they are “too challenging” for that student (perseverance). Perhaps it is a teen who spends the entire working period on one math problem instead of being able to move on and work on other questions instead (flexibility and time management).

Can executive functioning skills be strengthened?

In a one-word answer: yes. Executive functioning skills can be strengthened and improved over time. Just like improving math or reading skills, learners can also strengthen their abilities to plan, stay organized, and use self-control in challenging situations.

Most importantly, adults (both parents and teachers) do not have to be experts in executive functioning skills to help kids and teens make improvements. There are many different ways to teach executive functioning skills to students, from board games to discussions.

If you need something to help young adults learn these skills right away, I’ve put together an entire yearlong executive functioning set filled with printable and digital activities.

Get started with executive functioning activities for the year.

How do our words impact kids with EF challenges?

As adults, we play a huge role in supporting learners through these challenges. And one thing is for sure – our words can be powerful.

Below, I highlight some phrases to try and avoid saying to kids and teens with executive functioning issues. Just an important note that many of these things I’ve said (some many times). This is in no way meant to shame or embarrass anyone who has said them. Instead, I share this as an educational and supportive post meant to help us all grow and learn along the way.

Additionally, this isn’t just a way to “sugarcoat” what we want to say. It’s really about working with kids and teens in the best way. If we can make small changes in what we say to help kids feel more confident, strong, and empowered, it makes sense to give it a go.

And of course, while the intent is focused on learners who struggle with EF needs, it should go without saying that many of these strategies could be applied to all kids and teens.

10+ Phrases to Avoid (and what to say instead):

#1 “This is easy.”

I am guilty of using this phrase in the past. It sounds like it should be encouraging, but actually can have the opposite effect. Just because something is easy for one person, doesn’t mean it is easy for another. And if a student is struggling with something that should be easy, it could be a big blow to their confidence. 

What to do or say instead:

  • Teach positive affirmations to help kids and teens develop a positive inner voice. (example: “You’ve got this.”)
  • “On a scale of 0-10, how easy or difficult is this for you?”
  • “Let’s get started and see how you do.”
  • “How are you feeling about this so far?”
  • “Do you want me to show you some strategies that can help you through this?”
  • “You can do this with hard work.”

#2 “Hurry up.”

Kids and teens with executive functioning challenges are more likely to take longer on tasks. This can be due to slower working memory, weak attention skills, or difficulty with task initiation. While it’s normal to want to move along quicker, telling a child or young adult to hurry up actually can have the opposite effect. It can create feelings of shame, worry, and anxiety. It’s clear that doesn’t solve the problem and often only makes it worse. Instead, let’s remind kids and teens to go at the pace that’s right for them.

What to do or say instead:

  • Remember to have empathy and give patience first and foremost.
  • Give wait time.
  • “Think about it and I’ll come back to you in a few minutes.”
  • Give a heads up before calling on a student in class.
  • Make a checklist for tasks together to serve as a written and visual reminder. This can help build independence.
  • “Go at the pace that’s right for you.”
  • Teach time management skills.
  • “Let’s take a time check. Think about where you are and what you need to finish.”

#3 “I already told you.”

Imagine this situation: A child finally figures out that they need to get started on an assignment but realizes they have no idea what to do. When they go and ask for help, they are told, “I already told you.” This is a huge motivation and confidence killer. There are several reasons why the student might not have understood or heard the instructions the first time around. The goal is always to help kids and teens learn the skills and become independent. So, when a learner comes around asking for help, it’s important to give them that support instead of turning them away.

What to do or say instead:

  • “What could you use help with?”
  • “Where could you find that information?”
  • “Do you need a refresher? That’s okay! We all need that sometimes. I can explain.”
  • “What questions do you have?”
  • Incorporate visuals and written reminders to help promote independence.
  • Provide interventions for attention skills.

#4 “I’ll just do it.”

Learned helplessness is a real threat for kids and teens with executive functioning challenges. This is what happens when they learn they just can’t do thing on their own. Eventually, they figure out it’s easier if someone else just does it all for them, stripping them of their independence. Even though it’s often more challenging and time consuming for kids and teens to complete tasks on their own, it’s critical they go through the process.

What to do or say instead:

  • Give prompts and encouragement, but let the child do it independently.
  • “What do you think you should do next?”
  • On most challenging tasks, take turns with the student. For example, the adult can write one sentence and the student writes the next. This provides support, while still setting the expectation that the child is also doing the work on their own.

#5 “You’re lazy.”

Kids believe what is said about them. By labeling a child or teen as lazy, it can be incredibly dangerous in the long-term. And while it’s pretty obvious that this is a phrase no adult should ever say directly to a child, I think it’s worth stating that it’s not something that should ever be said about a kid, either.

What to do or say instead:

  • Teach strategies for task initiation.
  • Consider incentives to help motivate the child or teen.

#6 “You should already know how to do this.”

As educators, we’ve all thought this one. We teach a skill or expectation and have the belief that every child should know how to move forward on their own. In reality, that’s not always the case. If a child or teen doesn’t complete a direction or task, there is a reason why. Consider where the breakdown is and go from there.

What to do or say instead:

  • “What do you think you should do?”
  • “Where could you find the directions for this assignment?”
  • “Who could you ask if you are stuck?”
  • “What strategies can you use if you are stuck?”
  • Stop and consider what skills that student might need to be taught. If they are lacking a skill, teach it explicitly before moving on.

#7 “Calm down.”

Telling an agitated person to calm down doesn’t actually help anyone calm down. Working through executive functioning challenges can absolutely be stressful and difficult day after day. And it’s okay if kids feel frustrated sometimes. Instead of “calm down,” try teaching and practicing some coping strategies together.

What to do or say instead:

  • Teach and practice coping strategies together. Use this free coping strategies activity to help students develop their own coping strategies list.
  • Practice mindful breathing exercises.
  • “Let’s take a walk together.”
  • “Let’s take some deep breaths together.”
  • “I can tell you are frustrated. It’s okay to feel that way.”
  • “What would help you right now?”
  • Create a calm down area to support self-regulation.
  • Create a coping strategies binder for the student to use when needed.

#8 “Act your age.”

The idea of acting your age is an interesting area for discussion when it comes to executive functioning skills. Some researchers, such as Dr. Russell Barkley, have indicated that learners with EF weaknesses (specifically learners with ADHD) actually behave younger than they would without those challenges. Quite often, this statement is really intended to help kids and teens make better choices. Here are some strategies to get there.

What to do or say instead:

  • “What are the expectations you should be following?”
  • “What should you be doing right now?”
  • “I know you can make a better choice. I believe in you.”
  • “Let’s reflect. What did you do well? What could you do better for next time?”

#9 “You need to redo this. You did it wrong.”

Kids and teens mess up sometimes (we all do, right?). So, there is nothing wrong with having them redo assignments or tasks when they aren’t right. In fact, it’s often important. What’s critical is the way that we, as adults, approach this. Simply telling a child they did something wrong often invites shame and discouragement. When we want kids to improve, it’s important to build them up and help them understand what they can do better.

What to do or say instead:

  • Use rubrics or checklists and have students assess themselves first.
  • “Let’s reflect together. What did you do well? What could you use help on or improve?”
  • “Before turning that in, I’d like to to re-read the directions and make one improvement.”
  • Use the sandwich technique (give positive feedback, then criticism, and then more positive). Ex: “You really did a great job on your introduction here. I like how you explained your argument clearly. I noticed on your next paragraph, you could add some extra details to support that claim in a stronger way. You made a HUGE improvement from the last paper, so I’m so excited to see the final product. Keep it going!”

#10 “Sit still.”

Many kids and teens with executive functioning challenges have difficulty sitting still for extended periods of time. If a student seems like they need to move, it’s usually because they do in fact need to move. Further, many times these students often learn better moving than sitting still.

What to do or say instead:

  • Give movement breaks.
  • Incorporate brain breaks between tasks.
  • Allow students to stand while working.
  • Consider flexible seating.
  • “Could you answer up at the board for me?”
  • Practice mindfulness.
  • “Let’s take a movement break before getting back to work.”
  • “Go ahead and stand while you work if that’s best for you.”

#11 “I like the way _____ is acting.”

This is one of the phrases many of us educators learned in college. It is supposed to be a classroom management strategy. Instead, it teaches kids and teens to always compare themselves to others. While the intent is good, the impact can be a negative one for learners.

What to do or say instead:

  • Instead of comparing, just be explicit with expectations.
  • Meet privately with the student if they are not meeting expectations.

#12 “You should have brought that with you.”

Kids and teens with executive functioning challenges are more likely to forget things. Usually, they know this. They don’t want to forget things; they just struggle with planning and organization.

What to do or say instead:

  • Incorporate interventions for organization.
  • Come up with strategies with the student to help them remember the materials they need. For example, come up with a list to keep on their binders or in their lockers. You can even post reminders at the front door before kids walk in.
  • Set up a classroom office with supplies for students who need them.
  • “Here, I’ve got this one you can borrow.”
  • “Is there a classmate you can share with today?”

#13 “Quit doodling.”

Sometimes, when we see someone doodling, we assume that means they are not listening. It’s important to adjust that mindset. For some learners, doodling is a way to keep their hands busy while they are taking in information. Rather than asking kids to stop doodling, give a simple check-in to assess for understanding.

What to do or say instead:

  • “Can you draw a picture about what you’ve learned so far?”
  • “Tell me your three biggest takeaways from the lesson?”
  • “What are your thoughts on that?”

#14 “You’re late.”

Kids and teens with EF challenges struggle with getting to class on time. Perhaps they lost track of time (time management) or started down the hall with the wrong binder (organization). Regardless of the reason, they usually know they are late. This statement can start the tone off in a negative way.

What to do or say instead:

  • “I’m happy to see you.”
  • Develop strategies and supports to help assist with getting to class on time, like checklists and a schedule.

#15 “You’re on your own.”

While it’s true that we want all learners to be independent, they also need to know we’re here to help them along when things get tough. Kids and teens with executive functioning challenges are notorious for giving up prematurely because tasks feel too difficult for them (perseverance). Instead of telling them they are on their own, remind them they can do it in the first place.

What to do or say instead:

  • “You can do this. I believe you.”
  • “I want you to try on your own first, but I’m here if you need me.”
  • Teach and practice perseverance.
  • Teach and practice positive affirmations.

Member exclusive:

Sign up to download your executive functioning student self-assessment.

When working with any kids or teens, our words mean a lot. If you take just one thing away from this post, I hope that it is that you can absolutely help kids and teens improve their executive functioning skills. Sometimes, that might be big things like teaching skills directly. Other times, it might just be considering the very things we say.

Filed Under: Executive Functioning Skills, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education, Study Skills, Teaching, Tips for Teachers

9 FREE Executive Functioning Activities

July 6, 2020 by pathway2success Leave a Comment

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

Planning, organization, time management, and self-control. These are just a few of the extremely critical executive functioning skills that we use every day to accomplish tasks and be successful. We use them so regularly that we may forget their importance. But to kids and teens (and yes, even adults) who lack these skills, the struggle is real.

What are Executive Functioning Skills?

Executive functioning skills are the abilities in our brain that help us to accomplish daily tasks. They include skills like planning, organization, task initiation, time management, and attention. It’s helpful to think of them as life skills, as they are the foundations of what helps us be successful in completing tasks and reaching goals.

Read more here on each of the executive functioning skills and how they each play an important role in our lives.

Executive Functioning Activities

Executive functioning skills can be strengthened and built up over time. Here are a few free printable (and some digital) activities you can use to teach your learners about executive functioning skills and why they matter.

1. Executive Functioning Free Workbook

Use this free printable executive functioning workbook to teach and give some basic practice with some of the skills. This is a great lesson to start you off if you aren’t quite sure how to introduce executive functioning skills to your learners.

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

2. Executive Functioning Home Activities

Executive functioning skills are life skills! Use this free printable executive functioning poster with a list of ideas that kids and teens can practice at home. They include meaningful tasks like planning a meal together (planning), having a conversation (attention), and tidying up a room (organization).

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

3. Executive Functioning Skills Poster

Hang this executive functioning poster up to reminder adults and kids about each of the executive functioning skills. This can help you remind kids and teens about using them in the moment. Bonus: This poster doubles as a coloring page. Just use the black and white version to have kids color as you discuss many of these important skills.

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

4. Organize the Room Activity

Use this hands-on activity to teach organization. Just print out the pages, cut out the items, and add them in the room where they should go. This lesson opens up the conversation about staying organized, why it is important, cleaning up after yourself, and much more.

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

5. Study Skills Checklist

In order for kids to do well, they have to know what is expected of them. This free printable study skills checklist helps kids and teens read through several study skills that matter most, from keeping binders organized to taking notes. This can be a helpful starting point when discussing study skills for success.

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

6. Problem-Solving Task Cards

While these free problem-solving task cards focus on social situations, these are perfect practice for planning, flexibility, and self-control. Simply put, problem-solving situations force us to active executive functioning skills in our brains.

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

7. Motivation Workbook

Use this free motivation workbook to help young adults think about task initiation, developing goals, and accomplishing tasks. The activities go over understanding what motivation is and how to develop strategies for staying motivated, even when it comes to tasks you might not want to do.

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

8. Homework Folder

Setting up a homework folder is a critical step in getting kids and teens organized during the school day. Use this printable homework binder directions page and cover page to get started.

9. Executive Functioning Escape Room

This free executive functioning escape room activity is a puzzle challenge that allows kids and teens to practice attention and working memory at the same time. Kids and teens will love unlocking the challenge. It’s also a great way to see how escape room activities work for your learners.

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

10. Executive Functioning Self-Assessment

One more bonus activity is this executive functioning self-assessment, available for free for Pathway 2 Success members in the free resource library. Use it to help kids and teens assess themselves how their executive functioning skills from organization to self-control and everything in between. Grab it in the free resource library or learn here about how you can join.

9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

More Information on Executive Functioning

If you’re looking for more information, resources, and free ideas, I have them here for you. Read up on more executive functioning skills with the blog posts below:

  • Executive Functioning Skills Explained
  • Games to Improve Executive Functioning Skills
  • 15+ Executive Functioning Strategies Teachers Can Use
  • 5 Daily Struggles for Kids with Executive Functioning Challenges
  • Interventions for Attention Challenges
  • Interventions for Organization Challenges
  • Practicing EF skills with Play Activities
  • Using Task Cards to Teach Executive Functioning
9 FREE executive functioning activities for kids and teens. These are perfect activities and printable worksheets to help students build skills like attention, organization, time management, self-control, and more. Activities include workbooks, posters, coloring pages, and more. #pathway2success

Filed Under: Executive Functioning Skills, Social Emotional Learning, Study Skills, Teaching Tagged With: executive functioning

Executive Functioning Activities to Start the Morning

February 17, 2020 by pathway2success Leave a Comment

Use engaging and fun executive functioning activities to help jump start kids and teens in the morning. Simple activities like mindful breathing, brain games, journaling, and exercising, can help activate students' brains in the classroom. #pathway2success #executivefunctioning

We all want kids and young adults to start their days off calm, confident, and ready for success. Helping learners nurture their executive functioning skills can be a strategy for getting there. EF skills are the brain abilities we use to plan, organize, and start tasks. Ultimately, our executive functions impact everything from smaller activities like putting the right binder in the backpack to head out to school, to much more complex tasks such as planning for an essay to start and finish before the end of a class.

While some learners struggle with executive functions more than others, all students can build and improve them along the way. Here are eight executive functioning activities you can try to help start students off on the right foot.

Materials Checklist

It’s helpful to have a materials checklist listed just as they enter the door. My favorite spot to post this is actually right outside the classroom. For example, if students need their textbook today, post it and let them know. This gives kids a chance to ask themselves, “Do I have everything I need?” before even walking through the door.

For many classrooms, the list will be the same every day and that’s okay! It serves as a reminder for all students to have a pencil, their notebook, homework, and any other materials they need to succeed.

Preview of the Day

Start the morning by listing your daily schedule on the board. Review it by quickly highlighting your plan for the day. For example, you might say, “This morning, we’re going to review our homework, learn about how to visualize as we read, practice the skill, and start the homework for tonight.” This only has to take a minute, but it can have a positive impact on mindset because it prepares learners for what’s coming.

Morning Meeting

Holding a daily morning meeting helps build community. While at first, it might not seem like this practice is directly related to executive functioning skills, it is. By starting the day with a specific and predictable routine, this can help learners organize their thoughts.

Additionally, morning meeting can be the perfect time to talk about skills like organization, self-control, and perseverance.

Another thing to consider is that the classroom can be a scary place for kids with executive functioning challenges. We ask these learners to take risks every day by working on skills that don’t come easy to them. With that, it’s critical that classroom space is welcoming, encouraging, supportive, and accepting of mistakes. One way to gain that sense of positive classroom community is by leading a daily morning meeting. When students feel safe and loved, they will be better ready to pay attention, initiate tasks, and persevere through challenges.

Use engaging and fun executive functioning activities to help jump start kids and teens in the morning. Simple activities like mindful breathing, brain games, journaling, and exercising, can help activate students' brains in the classroom. #pathway2success #executivefunctioning

Morning Exercise Routine

Exercise activates the brain. Help give kids a jump start every morning with a quick daily exercise routine. Spend a few minutes with a daily workout video. You could also lead students through simple stretches, jog in place or practice yoga postures.

If you’re looking to make things more interesting, try a timed scavenger hunt around the room, or outside if the weather is nice. Kids can do this in partners or on their own.

Not only is exercise encouraging a healthy habit, but it will also help students improve focus and be ready to learn.

Use engaging and fun executive functioning activities to help jump start kids and teens in the morning. Simple activities like mindful breathing, brain games, journaling, and exercising, can help activate students' brains in the classroom. #pathway2success #executivefunctioning

Organize and Prepare Time

Explicitly schedule time first thing in the morning for students to organize and prepare for the day. During this time, students can sharpen pencils, gather belongings, tidy desk or backpack, write in homework log, and turn homework in.

Question of the Day

Writing can be used as a predictable routine to help students start off the day focused, organized, and calm. Choose a daily prompt to write on the board or projector. As students come in, have them respond independently in their journals. You can even touch other social-emotional bases using questions that target critical SEL skills, like empathy, organization, and problem-solving.

Grab a free week of daily social emotional learning journal prompts to start the morning.

Free-write Journaling

Similar to a question of the day, a free write also helps provide a predictable routine. The difference is that students are choosing what to write about entirely on their own. This can serve as a safe space for students to free their minds before starting the day. It can also help them ask any questions or share feedback with you in a private way.

Class Read Aloud

Choose a read aloud or have your students pick one for the morning. In particular, short picture books are a simple and quick way to increase attention for the day. Also, this can be an easy way to integrate other executive functioning skills like flexibility, self-control, and perseverance. As you read, stop and talk about the characters as they use each of those skills.

Brain Games

Brainteasers, riddles, and other puzzles are simple activities to help students activate their brains in an engaging way. Whether you use a crossword, word search, memory game, or play on words, these activities will help start the day off strong. As an added bonus, they can also help practice skills like organization, planning, working memory, attention, and perseverance.

Use engaging and fun executive functioning activities to help jump start kids and teens in the morning. Simple activities like mindful breathing, brain games, journaling, and exercising, can help activate students' brains in the classroom. #pathway2success #executivefunctioning

Classroom Jobs

Classroom jobs are a healthy way to start each morning, as they give every child a purpose in the room. This can be a positive strategy in just setting a predictable routine, helping your students feel valued, helpful, and organized for the day. It’s helpful to assign specific classroom jobs to best suit your learners. For example, if a student has a strength with using technology, have them turn on the laptops first thing in the morning. If another student is especially artistic, give them the role of drawing a positive welcome message to others. A classroom job can help all students start the morning with a positive frame of mind and allow them to feel mentally prepared for the rest of the day.

Practice Mindful Breathing

Think of mindful breathing as a brain break. They are a quick activity to help students reset and refresh before moving on. Not only can they be an effective morning strategy, but really can be used between any tasks. Learn more about mindful breathing, why it’s important, and a few simple mindful breathing exercises you can use with your learners.

Use engaging and fun executive functioning activities to help jump start kids and teens in the morning. Simple activities like mindful breathing, brain games, journaling, and exercising, can help activate students' brains in the classroom. #pathway2success #executivefunctioning

Positive Affirmations

All kids and young adults could use more positivity in their days. This is especially true for kids who struggle with executive functioning skills. These are the students who are more likely to struggle with basic tasks like following directions, starting work right away, and paying attention. Over time, these challenges can lead to reduced self-esteem. To counteract this, use positive affirmations to help build kids up and feel good about themselves before starting their day. More confident learners are more likely to task risks, stay motivated, and work to their individual potentials even in the face of difficulties. Grab a free positive affirmations list and let your students create their own individualized lists to start.

Download a free printable list of positive affirmations for kids & young adults.

If you want to help build learners’ executive functioning skills, just give one or two strategies a try! Even small steps are steps in the right direction to helping kids and young adults strengthen their executive functioning skills.

Interested in more executive functioning posts? Check out the following articles:

  • Understanding Executive Functioning Skills
  • 15 Executive Functioning Strategies for the Classroom
  • Executive Functioning Interventions for Organization
Use engaging and fun executive functioning activities to help jump start kids and teens in the morning. Simple activities like mindful breathing, brain games, journaling, and exercising, can help activate students' brains in the classroom. #pathway2success #executivefunctioning

Filed Under: Executive Functioning Skills, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education, Teaching, Tips for Teachers Tagged With: executive functioning, executive functioning skills, study skills

12 Games to Practice Self-Control

November 3, 2019 by pathway2success 5 Comments

Use these games and play activities to strengthen self-control and self-regulation skills for kids and young adults. Teachers can use these games during break times or even as rewards! Games can be one of the best ways to help boost self control for teens and children.  #selfcontrol #pathway2success

Self-control is our ability to stop and think before making decisions. This involves taking a pause when our emotions want to take over so we can think through the situation, consider solutions, assess the consequences, and move forward with the best choice in that scenario. Self-control is particularly difficult executive functioning skill for kids and young adults, and there is actually a scientific reason for that! The limbic system in our brains, which is responsible for managing emotions, develops ahead of the prefrontal cortex, which is the area responsible for planning, suppressing urges, and using self-control. Simply put, that means kids and young adults are going to need lots of practice with using skills for self-control.

Using Games to Teach Self-Control

Games are a great technique for practicing self-control skills because they are instantly fun and interactive. Kids and young adults are far more likely to learn and practice the skills if it’s something interesting to them. Whenever you play any of these games, it’s important to be purposeful about the skills you are teaching. First, explain what self-control is and why it’s so important.

I love to give examples about situations involving self-control that all kids can relate to. One example is: Imagine you are going over to your friend’s house. You see a delicious chocolate cake just sitting there on the counter. You really WANT to just eat a piece or taste the frosting with your finger. What should you do? How could you use self-control? What could happen if you don’t use self-control? These questions are an important foundation to help students understand self-control and why it matters. Let students know they are playing the game in order to practice and strengthen their skills for self-control. Then, let the games begin!

Since games are a great tool to teach skills, you might also want to read up on games to teach social emotional skills and games to strengthen executive functioning skills, too!

Use these games and play activities to strengthen self-control and self-regulation skills for kids and young adults. Teachers can use these games during break times or even as rewards! Games can be one of the best ways to help boost self control for teens and children.  #selfcontrol #pathway2success

Games To Try

Jenga. I love this game because it’s the perfect blend of structure and chaos (perfect for your kids who really need self-control practice!). As students play, remind them to have self-control every time they remove a block from the tower. The more cautious and careful you are, the more likely you are to win. Not only is this a really fun and interactive way to practice self-control, but the entire game becomes a metaphor for self-control in life. If you aren’t careful, things can fall apart. Take your time, stop and think, breathe, and carefully move forward. This is a game you can practice again and again. It never gets old!

Self-Control Speedway. I developed this self-control board game as a fun but direct way to target self-control skills. Students will move along the racetrack game board answering critical questions about self-control. I truly love the idea of comparing self-control to driving because I always it is teaching kids that they are in the driver’s seat!

Use these games and play activities to strengthen self-control and self-regulation skills for kids and young adults. Teachers can use these games during break times or even as rewards! Games can be one of the best ways to help boost self control for teens and children.  #selfcontrol #pathway2success

Blurt. This is by far one of my favorite ways to practice self-control. If you’re not familiar with it, Blurt is a set of cards with definitions for vocabulary words. A leader will read the card and students “blurt” out the answer. My favorite way to play is “around the world” style. Have two students stand next to each other for a duel. Read the card and allow only those two students to shout out the answer. All other students in the room have to use self-control and not shout out, even if they know the answer when no one else does! This can be a big challenge (and GREAT practice) for those students who struggle with shouting out when it is not their turn. Note that if you don’t have blurt, you can always make up your very own cards with content area questions!

Guard Duty. Use this as a secret weapon when you want students to use self-control in the hallways. The idea is simple: Tell students that they are guards for the palace. They have a mission to be as serious and guard-like as possible. That means using self-control and ignoring anyone who tries to distract you! Anyone who fails the challenge has to go to the back of the line. It can be added fun if you have another teacher do something to try and distract your students.

Use these games and play activities to strengthen self-control and self-regulation skills for kids and young adults. Teachers can use these games during break times or even as rewards! Games can be one of the best ways to help boost self control for teens and children.  #selfcontrol #pathway2success

Freeze. This game incorporates movement, play, and self-control all in one. Just play some music and let kids dance, wiggle, and walk around. Have one person be the leader (a teacher to start) and yell “Freeze!” at any time. As soon as someone shouts it, everyone should freeze in place, with the music still playing. This can be challenging with the music still going, because you might have the urge to keep dancing. This is a great game to practice at the end of the week for some added fun.

Simon Says. This game focuses on attention skills, but self-control, too! Kids have to be focused to listen for what Simon says to do, while using self-control to stop themselves if “Simon” doesn’t say it! Stand in front of the class and shout out commands like “Simon says put your hands on your head” and “Simon says stand on one foot.” Then, throw one in there that doesn’t say “Simon says” and see who can follow along. Afterwards, you can switch it up and have students be the leader as well.

Social Problem Solving Board Game. This social problem-solving board game is one of my favorite games I created because it targets so many different social areas all in one. Students move through the game board answering a variety of social problem-solving questions about school, home, activities, and friends. This is a great way to practice self-control because students need to stop and think about how they will solve each problem.

Use these games and play activities to strengthen self-control and self-regulation skills for kids and young adults. Teachers can use these games during break times or even as rewards! Games can be one of the best ways to help boost self control for teens and children.  #selfcontrol #pathway2success

Wait Five. I love this game because it can be played with any trivia, vocabulary, or academic content. This makes it a great review game, too. Ask one question at a time but students must wait a full five seconds before shouting out the answer. This can be especially helpful for those students who love to shout out the answer without being called on. Of course, you can play around with the rules, making the wait time longer or shorter, and even allowing only certain students to shout out at certain times. The whole idea is to build self-control by waiting just a little bit longer than we really want to!

Role Play. Kids and young adults love acting scenarios out, but it can also be a great way to practice skills for self-control. Come up with your own scenarios or use these social scenario task cards. Have students act out the situation in partners or small groups, considering what they would do and why. You can even invite students to act out the situation at the front of the class. It is most important to highlight the socially appropriate choices and why they matter. This can be a fun addition to any morning meeting or social group time.

Self-Control Task Cards. I added these in because you can use these self-control task cards along with any turn-taking game. Just have students answer one card before they can take their turn. It’s a win-win because kids and playing a game they love while learning about self-control at the same time.

Use these games and play activities to strengthen self-control and self-regulation skills for kids and young adults. Teachers can use these games during break times or even as rewards! Games can be one of the best ways to help boost self control for teens and children.  #selfcontrol #pathway2success

Orchestra. Anything that incorporates music and skill practice is a win! For this game, you can choose to pass out instruments to your students if you have them (such as triangles or drum sticks). If you don’t have them, that’s okay, since students can use their hands, pencils, or imaginary instruments to go with the beat. Play a sample of music and have students play to the beat. Continue with many different samples, both slower and faster. The whole idea is that students are able to use self-control to stay with the beat, even if they want to go faster or slower in the moment.

Stoplight. This game is another quick activity that can be done any time with no props. Start by shouting out, “Green Light”. Let students walk around the classroom, talk, and mingle. You can even let them dance if you want to! Then, after a few seconds or minutes, say, “Yellow Light.” At this time, students have to slow down and go at a snail’s pace. They can still move, but it has to be slow! Finally, end with “Red Light,” and have students completely stop in their tracks. You can continue over and over with as much time as you have.

Use these games and play activities to strengthen self-control and self-regulation skills for kids and young adults. Teachers can use these games during break times or even as rewards! Games can be one of the best ways to help boost self control for teens and children.  #selfcontrol #pathway2success

Games can be the perfect way to integrate social skills and self-control practice into your classroom! Do you have other games that work in your classroom? Share them below!

Use these games and play activities to strengthen self-control and self-regulation skills for kids and young adults. Teachers can use these games during break times or even as rewards! Games can be one of the best ways to help boost self control for teens and children.  #selfcontrol #pathway2success

Filed Under: Behavior Management, Classroom Management, Executive Functioning Skills, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education, Teaching, Tips for Teachers Tagged With: adhd, classroom management, executive functioning skills, self control, study skills

15+ Executive Functioning Strategies Every Teacher Can Use

October 13, 2019 by pathway2success 2 Comments

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

Many kids and young adults struggle with executive functioning challenges. Some are easy to spot, such as when a student can’t focus on a lesson or comes to class without their entire binder. Other EF challenges are less obvious, though. A learner might take two times as long on homework because they don’t understand strategies to help them complete it quicker. Another student might look like they are paying attention, but may not be absorbing the content. For more of an in-depth explanation on these skills, be sure to check out my post on executive functioning skills explained.

Kids and young adults only have so much mental energy they can use at one time (we all do, right?). For kids who struggle with basic EF skills, like organization, planning, and time management, we want to reduce any wasted mental energy. This can help our learners focus on the more important things, including learning the content and practicing the skills.

Here are some simple steps that every educator can take to help all learners develop executive functioning success in the classroom:

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#1 Develop, teach, and practice routines. Consistency is a huge key to student success. That’s true for all learners, but especially kids and young adults with EF deficits. Make everything a routine. Turning in homework each morning? Routine. Writing homework down at the end of class? Routine. Cleaning out notebooks for a new unit? Routine! It’s important to note that just coming up with a routine for these tasks isn’t really enough. The routines need to be practice and re-practiced throughout the year.

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#2 Keep a daily schedule posted. Not only does a daily plan for the day keep educators on track, but it keeps students organized, too. A daily schedule or plan doesn’t need to be “perfect.” It’s okay if it is a rough outline of what you plan to do during the class. A daily schedule or plan keeps students more organized and gives a sneak peak of what is to come. This can help everyone mentally prepare for class and preview expectations.

#3 Write homework in the same spot. Having a designated homework spot means kids and young adults use less mental energy figuring out where their assignment is listed each day. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#4 Embed executive functioning instruction in your content. One of the easiest ways to teach EF skills is by discussing them through your content and curriculum. For example, when working on a long-term project, you might talk about organization and time management. Before working on a challenging test, you might highlight strategies to help all learners use flexibility and perseverance. There are so many opportunities. Every teacher can and should be a teacher of executive functioning skills.

#5 Give organization time at the end of class. Kids and young adults with executive functioning challenges are notoriously disorganized. They can certainly learn skills to improve, but they need the time to get there. Dedicate the last few minutes of each class to tidying up, putting papers in the right spots, and making sure homework is written down. While not all kids will need this time, many really do.

#6 Teach skills explicitly. When kids struggle with math or reading, we teach them. The same should be true for skills like organization, self-control, and time management. You don’t need to be an executive function expert to talk about and teach these skills. I have developed a number of EF materials for educators, including executive functioning task cards and an executive functioning workbook. If you’re looking for even more, grab the whole yearlong executive functioning set to get started right away. Even if you are just discussing one skill each week or so, you are moving kids in the right direction.

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#7 Give mini-deadlines on long-term projects. Any educator knows that long-term projects can be a major challenge for some students. Mini-deadlines are a simple solution to the problem. If a report is due in two weeks, work to break up the project into sections. Make a date for students to find their sources, create an outline, and write a first draft. Over time, you can train students to create their own mini-deadlines to build independence.

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#8 Reduce distractions. It’s important to note that reducing distractions will look different in every classroom. Still, it’s important to be reflective. Art projects hanging from the ceiling might look beautiful, but they may actually be doing more harm than good if they are distracting your learners. Take time to re-assess the visuals and materials in your classroom and reduce any distractions that might be about.

#9 Give time checks. Kids and young adults who struggle with time management often don’t have a strong understanding of time itself. During working sessions, use a chime or just your voice to give time checks for how much longer is left. For example, you might say, “This is a time check. You have about 10 more minutes before we need to clean up the lab stations.” This simple no-prep support is helpful to all kids, but especially to kids with EF challenges.

#10 Keep extra papers stored in a bin. Of course, we want all students to stay organized and keep all of their papers where they need to be. However, kids with EF challenges are likely to lose papers. Give them a way to find an extra paper without having to ask an adult every single time by setting up a bin with extra pages.

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#11 Explicitly state when important information is being shared. It would be great if every student perfectly paid attention during all lectures and lessons, but we all know that’s not exactly the case. With this, it’s critical to be very explicit when sharing information that matters the most. You might say, “I’m about to say something really important. Pencils down and eyes on me,” as a cue.

#12 Give breaks. No one can be 100% all of the time. This is especially true for our learners with executive functioning challenges. Their brains are working extra hard to pay attention, stay organized, manage their time, problem-solve, and work through challenges. It’s important to give brain breaks during class, when needed. Individual students may also benefit from breaks, such as getting a drink at the water fountain or having them deliver something to another classroom for you.

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#13 Preview changes. For kids and young adults who struggle with flexibility, change can be a huge obstacle. If there is a change of schedule coming up, give students a heads up. Explain what the change is and how the day will proceed. This doesn’t need to take much time, but can help take some of the stress away from the changes coming up.

#14 Stock a classroom office. For some kids, organization comes easy! For others, it is a lifelong struggle. While working on these skills, give the kids the tools they need to be successful in the classroom. Stock a classroom office with pencils, pens, extra paper, and other supplies for kids who need them. It’s important to see this as an intervention and a support, not a way to enable kids. Of course, the goal is to have learners bring their own pencils and come prepared each day. However, an executive functioning deficit shouldn’t impact a child’s ability to learn the math or reading content for the day. While working on EF skills, stock a classroom office so all kids have the tools they need.

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#15 Let kids work through challenges. Kids and young adults need the experiences of doing tasks on their own, whether it is struggling through a math problem or learning how to cut out a craft. It’s okay if things aren’t perfect. It’s much more important that kids and young adults develop the confidence that they can do things independently. This also allows for problem-solving, flexibility, and perseverance. Sometimes, they will need help, and it’s important to give that support! But it’s also okay to let them learn through their struggles so they can persevere and succeed.

#16 Play executive functioning skills games during downtime. Sometimes, it is difficult to integrate EF skills into the day with all the content and curriculum that needs to be covered. This is when downtime can be extremely valuable. Use the last few minutes of class to play fun games that actually strengthen EF skills, like Simon Says and Freeze. Some games, like Guard Duty, can even be played while your students are in line on the way to another class. The idea is to have them act like a guard to the palace and use self-control to not react to anything. Read up on more ways you can use play activities to practice executive functioning skills.

Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

#17 Allow for movement in the classroom. Many kids and young adults learn best when they are moving. This can be especially true for kids who struggle with attention and focus. Use center work, stations, and even movement games to allow for extra movement throughout the day while kids are learning the content you need them to.

#18 Be concise. Say what matters the most and keep it short! Kids and young adults who struggle with attention and focus will get lost when directions or information is too wordy. It may also help to have both visual and verbal reminds for the directions for those who need.

If you are interested in teaching executive functioning skills explicitly, I have developed an entire yearlong set of activities for executive functioning skills. It includes everything from workbooks to lessons and crafts to task cards. It is ideal for advisory or the resource room, but I’ve even had general education teachers use it in the first few minutes of class to help teach the skills kids need most.

Also, here are a few more blog posts you might be interested in:

  • 15 Ways to Teach Executive Functioning Skills
  • Executive Functioning Skills Explained
  • Using Task Cards to Teach Executive Functioning Skills
  • Interventions for Executive Functioning Challenges: Organization
  • Tips for Teaching Study Skills
Over 15 strategies for executive functioning that all educators and teachers can use to help struggling students. Whether kids are having difficulty with attention, organization, self-control, or flexibility, these ideas and printable resources will help kids and teens find success in the classroom! #executivefunctioning #pathway2success

Filed Under: Back to School, Classroom Management, Executive Functioning Skills, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education, Study Skills, Teaching, Tips for Teachers

Tips for Teaching Study Skills

July 22, 2019 by pathway2success 1 Comment

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Good study habits and techniques are critical to help students learn more efficiently, feel more academically confident, persevere through challenges, and ultimately do their best. Sometimes, it’s easy to assume that learners already have these skills intact. The truth is that they sometimes don’t; many learners might not actually know how to study for tests or how to keep their binders organized. While these skills can be a challenge for many students, they are skills that can be improved over time.

If you notice some of your students are struggling with basic study skills and habits, make time to address and teach the skills. You can choose to dedicate time during morning meeting, resource room, or even a separate study skills class. Whatever you choose, make a schedule and stick with it. Teaching these skills early on is important for help all learners do their best. I’ve put together a list of ideas and resources, but check out this yearlong Executive Functioning and Study Skills activities set if you want to get started on teaching these skills right away.

Here are some simple tips, tricks, and strategies you can use to help students develop study skills in your classroom:

Build relationships first. Simply put, learning new study strategies can be tough for kids and young adults. It’s always worth spending extra time early on to develop strong relationships. Not only will this help you to get to know your students, but it will help them to persevere and succeed in your class. Use these strategies to focus on building relationships with your learners.

Know your learners. Before getting started on teaching study skills, assess what your students know first. One helpful place to start is using this free Study Skills Checklist. It can be a great tool to help students develop self-awareness about their skills, while also giving you critical data on what you need to teach.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Teach how to study for tests and quizzes. Spend time teaching a variety of different study strategies for success: taking notes, quizzing yourself, making flashcards, having a partner quiz you, re-doing problems, and more. Different strategies are going to work for different learners, so it’s important that all students are exposed to several activities.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Practice studying just to learn. Sometimes students think that studying is only important when a test or quiz is coming up. Instead, help kids embrace the idea that studying is part of the learning process. Studying just to learn can help reduce the amount of time students will have to study when a test or quiz comes up, and it helps them to learn the material better in the first place.

Practice study skills with current curriculum. Sometimes, students feel like learning study skills is a waste of time for them. They would rather be getting homework done or chatting with friends on their downtime One way to make the study skills meaningful for kids and young adults is to help them apply them right away with current classwork. If you are learning how to make flashcards, use current vocabulary terms. When teaching about time management, practice with a project kids are actually working on. Using current curriculum along with teaching the skills can make it more meaningful and memorable.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Teach about the power of habits and routines. Students can benefit greatly from understanding how important our habits are. Spend time discussing and highlighting some current habits students already have (brushing their teeth in the morning or cleaning up their trays after lunch). These tasks are much easier when they just become part of our everyday routines. This can eventually encourage students to develop habits for writing homework down, organizing their binders, and studying for tests.

Teach executive functioning skills. Study skills are inherently linked with executive functioning skills. Students can benefit greatly from improving skills with planning, organization, self-control, attention, flexibility, perseverance, and more. Most importantly, teach students that they can often improve these skills over time with practice and hard work. If you could use more background knowledge on these skills, catch up on a basic understanding of executive functioning skills in this blog post.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Teach time management. Understanding how to manage time well is a powerful skill. Teach about understanding time by having students estimate how long a task will take (such as doing 10 jumping jacks or walking to get a drink and back). Then, have students actually perform the task and check how close their estimate was. You can easily relate this back to having students consider how long tasks will take by thinking about what they have to do and then reflecting on their progress along the way. Read more about strategies and interventions for time management skills.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Discuss what it means to prioritize. Prioritizing is the ability to determine which order tasks should be completed in. This is a critical skill, but can be challenging, especially when students are juggling many different responsibilities. Talk through some examples and discuss: You have a test tomorrow and a big project due in two weeks. What should you do? Having students problem-solve these types of scenarios can help them understand how to prioritize in the future.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Practice making test and quizzes. Have students get into the mind of a teacher by creating their own test and quizzes for class content. This can help them consider what material might be on an actual test or quiz, making them better at studying and knowing what is important.

Teach organization. One of the most important study skills is learning how to be organized. Spend time explicitly teaching learners how to organize materials, schedules, and projects. If you are interested specifically in organization, use this Organization Boot Camp to help get kids’ organization skills in shape. You can also start with this free organization activity to get going right away.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Revisit organization on a weekly basis. Even after teaching the basic skills for organization, it is important for students to make organization a weekly practice. Choose one time a week (such as Friday afternoon or whenever time you have available) and dedicate that time to re-organizing materials.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Set up a homework binder (or folder). One helpful strategy for many learners is setting up a homework folder or binder that goes everywhere with them. This folder contains all current homework that needs to be done or needs to be turned in. Simply label a folder “Done” and “To Do” on each side. This is an especially helpful tip for students who lose or misplace assignments. Use this free homework binder to get your students started.

Teach how to write homework down. I know this example sounds silly, but many learners don’t know how to write homework down in an organized and consistent way. Practice what it means to write homework down accurately and explain why it is important. Doing daily or weekly homework log checks are helpful, too.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Find study buddies. No matter the age, all students should have one or two classmates to reach out to for support with homework and studying. This is a critical skill that helps build independence. When a student isn’t sure what page the homework was or didn’t understand the math lesson, it can be a good option to reach out to a classmate instead of always depending on the adults.

Teach goal-setting. All students should learn how to create action-oriented plans to reach their individual goals. This is a study skill, but also a life skill! Help students brainstorm and come up with one or two SMART goals that they want to accomplish in a short time-frame. Then, revisit those goals on a regular basis to make sure progress is being made.

Play games. Learning and improving study skills can be tough for learners. With this, games are always a helpful strategy to sneak in more learning opportunities. You can actually play any game while practicing study strategies. Just put questions for an upcoming test or quiz on flashcards. Each time a student takes a turn, they need to pick up a card and answer! If you’re looking for something more, I developed an Executive Functioning Challenge Game that students can play again and again to practice their skills.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Chunk projects and long-term assignments. Long-term assignments can be particularly overwhelming for kids and young adults. Teach students how to break them apart into smaller and more manageable chunks. Giving mini-deadlines along the way also helps students stay on track.

Teach stress management. Simply put, school is stressful for kids and young adults. It’s critical to help students learn coping strategies to help them deal with their feelings in more healthy ways. Spend some time discussing how to exercise, journal, read, practice mindfulness, and more. Grab this free list with 100 coping strategies to give you even more ideas.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Help students develop a study space. Every student should have a designated study space at home and at school to help them accomplish homework and assignments. While these study spaces might look different for every learner, having this area can help keep students organized and consistent.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Have a daily check-in and check-out. Spend just 5-10 minutes at the beginning of each day to help students get organized, check to see if they have what they need, and make a plan for the day. Do the same in the afternoon to make sure students have a plan for homework and studying after school. The goal is for students to check-in with themselves on their own, but this needs to be taught and practiced to make that happen

Practice taking brain breaks. All students need a mental break from time to time. Encourage students to check-in with themselves and notice when they need one of themselves. Practice different types of brain breaks, from exercising to practicing mindfulness. Use these free mindfulness coloring pages to have a brain break that is ready to go.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Engage in class discussions. Part of learning how to study well is problem-solving when challenges come up. Encourage students to talk through issues and brainstorm solutions together. For example, ask students what they might do when they have a lot of homework but also have basketball practice at 6:00 pm. Ask students what they might do if they have a big homework assignment due tomorrow but they can’t remember the page. Start by just asking the question and letting your students guide their way through. These executive functioning task cards are perfect to guide discussions on a variety of topics or you can come up with your own questions on the fly!

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Practice the art of memorization. Sometimes studying involves memorizing certain dates or vocabulary words. These are skills that can be taught, practiced, and strengthened over time. Have fun teaching this skill by memorizing lists, lyrics, numbers, and more.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

If you find yourself in need for lessons and activities to teach study skills, check out my yearlong Executive Functioning and Study Skills set. It includes everything you need to teach the skills kids need for success from how to study, get organized, develop SMART goals, and much more.

20+ strategies, ideas, and some free resources you can use to teach kids and young adults study strategies for academic success! Students at the middle and high school level need good study habits to do their best, including writing homework down, studying for tests, and staying organized. All teachers can give these a try! #studyskills #pathway2success

Filed Under: Back to School, Classroom Management, Executive Functioning Skills, Social Emotional Learning, Special Education, Study Skills, Teaching, Tips for Teachers

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⭐ Kristina Scully
💖 SEL & Executive Functioning
💻 Blogger at www.thepathway2success.com
👩‍🏫 Curriculum Specialist
🏫 10 Year Special Ed Teacher

Pathway 2 Success
👍 Literature is a helpful technique for teachin 👍 Literature is a helpful technique for teaching a whole bunch of social emotional skills, resilience being one of them. In so many stories and novels, you can talk about how character deal with challenges and how they bounce back. That is resilience in action!⁣
❤ What's your favorite read aloud that you could use to teach resilience with?
I remember when I wrote this self-regulation unit, I remember when I wrote this self-regulation unit, I had this thought come in my mind: "All about the self-regulation station" and the train theme was born. I know it is kinda silly, but it's all about making it fun and engaging for kids to learn, especially when these skills are tough!⁣
This unit targets skills like managing your thoughts, understanding emotions, flexible thinking, coping with emotions, effectively dealing with problems, and making good choices.⁣
Because these skills matter!⁣
⁣
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Self-Control-Activities-Self-Regulation-Station-3747343
As I was working on an article for the top 10 most As I was working on an article for the top 10 most important positive self-talk phrases for kids, this one immediately came to mind. What are some phrases that would make your top 10 list?
Relationships are where the magic happens. And I'm Relationships are where the magic happens. And I'm a huge believer in always building and strengthening those relationships. To help I created this list of 100+ relationship-building questions and I want to pass it on to you! Grab it free with the link in my profile!⁣
⁣
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/100-Questions-to-Build-Relationships-Distance-Learning-4369488
I really believe this. What educators do TRULY is I really believe this. What educators do TRULY is amazing. Thank you.
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