Helping Your Child Strengthen Executive Functioning: How a Tutor or Coach Can Make a Difference
Does your child struggle with staying organized, completing homework on time, or following multi-step instructions? These challenges may be linked to executive functioning skills—the mental processes that help children plan, focus, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. While some kids naturally develop these skills over time, others need extra support. Working with a tutor or executive function coach can provide the guidance and strategies needed to help your child succeed.
What Is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning is like the brain’s “air traffic control system,” helping kids manage their time, set goals, and stay on task. According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child (2016), executive functioning involves three key skills:
- Working Memory – The ability to hold and use information, like remembering homework instructions or following a multi-step problem.
- Cognitive Flexibility – The skill to adapt when plans change, such as shifting strategies when a math problem is tricky.
- Self-Control – The ability to resist distractions, think before acting, and manage emotions when frustrated.
Many children, including those with ADHD, learning disabilities, or anxiety, struggle with executive functioning. However, even kids without these conditions can find it difficult to stay organized and focused, especially as schoolwork becomes more demanding.
Signs Your Child May Need Support
If your child frequently experiences these struggles, they may benefit from executive functioning coaching:
- Difficulty starting or completing homework
- Losing track of assignments or school materials
- Forgetting due dates or instructions
- Getting distracted easily and struggling to stay on task
- Having trouble following routines or managing time
How a Tutor or Coach Can Help
An executive function tutor or coach works with children to develop strategies that improve organization, time management, and focus. Here’s how they can make a difference:
1. Teaching Practical Strategies
Tutors introduce tools like planners, checklists, and digital reminders to help kids stay organized and manage their workload more effectively.
2. Providing Accountability and Structure
Many children struggle with self-motivation. Regular sessions with a coach help them build responsibility, track progress, and develop healthy study habits.
3. Reducing Homework Battles and Stress
Parents often find themselves in constant conflict over homework. A tutor or coach can take on this role, creating a more positive home environment while equipping kids with the skills to work independently.
4. Boosting Confidence and Emotional Resilience
Executive functioning difficulties can lead to frustration and low self-esteem. Coaching helps children develop problem-solving skills, build confidence, and learn how to manage setbacks effectively.
Investing in Your Child’s Future
Executive functioning is a skillset that affects every aspect of life—from school performance to daily responsibilities and even future career success. The good news is that these skills can be developed with the right support. If your child is struggling, working with a tutor or coach can provide the guidance they need to stay organized, focused, and confident in their abilities.
References
- Best, J. R., Miller, P. H., & Naglieri, J. A. (2011). Relations between executive function and academic achievement from ages 5 to 17 in a large, representative national sample. Learning and Individual Differences, 21(4), 327-336.
- Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135-168.
- Harvard Center on the Developing Child. (2016). Executive function & self-regulation. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/executive-function/