Executive Function: The Key to Better Behavior

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Are You Struggling To Get Your Child To Listen?

At HabitCoach, TestingMom’s Executive Function Program, the most common question we get from parents is: “How do I get my child to listen?”

As a parent, trying to get your child’s attention when they don’t respond can be maddening. But this issue is more complex than it seems. The answer is a good example of how to break down challenging parenting challenges.

When parents ask, “Why doesn’t my child listen?” there could be a wide range of issues that are really going on:

The Child Doesn’t Hear

A parent may try to get their child’s attention by shouting from the kitchen while the child is deeply absorbed in a video game or a text conversation with a friend. In this case, the child simply doesn’t hear what the parent is saying.

The Child Hears But Does Not Process

A parent may be standing right in front of a child, asking a question, but the child may be hyperfocused or thinking about something else, like what they ate for lunch or an upcoming basketball game. In this case, it may appear that a child is listening, but they are not processing or internalizing what the parent is saying, so a parent will be disappointed when the child doesn’t respond.

The Child Can’t Switch

Sometimes, a parent does get the child’s attention, but the child has a different agenda or struggles to switch tasks. For example, a parent may ask the child to set the table, but the child is in the middle of a conversation or has only 20 seconds left in a video game. In these situations, the child will struggle to switch off what they are doing and switch on to what the parent needs.

HabitCoach will help you parent more effectively and empower your child to learn better behavior. Starting at less than $5 per week, check out HabitCoach.com for more information.

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So, How Do I Get My Child to Change Their Behavior?

Many behavioral issues are driven by a child’s Executive Function.

Executive Function is a set of cognitive skills—like planning, organization, flexibility, memory, and task initiation—that help children and adults manage their lives and get things done.

When a child struggles with behavior, underlying Executive Function challenges are often the cause. In the example above, where a child doesn’t respond to a parent’s request, the issues may include:

Mental Flexibility – The ability to switch attention from one task (like playing a video game) to another (like setting the table).

Task Initiation – A child with procrastination issues may know how to do the task that the parent is asking them to do, but may struggle to get started.

Focus and Follow-Through – Even if a child can get started on a task, such as setting the table, they may become easily distracted by a sibling, a noise, or a reminder on their phone and may struggle to finish the task.

Working Memory – If a parent gives a child a string of instructions and the child can only complete one or two of them, it may be because the child forgets one of the steps or instructions due to weak working memory.

Time Management – Kids with Executive Function challenges can be “time blind” and leave three minutes before dinner to set the table when it really takes 10 minutes.

Emotional Control  – A child with poor emotional control may become angry at their parent when asked to perform a reasonable, common task, such as setting the table.

As you can see, poor Executive Function is often at the root of a common question: “Why won’t my child listen?”

How Do I Figure Out My Child’s Executive Function Strengths and Weaknesses?

At HabitCoach, we know that it can be challenging for parents to try to gain insight into their child’s Executive Function strengths and weaknesses, so we created a Free Executive Function Assessment to help you see skills where your child is strong, average, and needs support. It only takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and you will gain valuable insight.

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How Does HabitCoach Help My Children Behave Better?

HabitCoach is the leading Executive Function training program.

Coaches

Our master’s-trained, highly experienced coaches know how to help kids open up and take ownership of their own behavior. Very often, a child will be more willing to change their behavior for a coach than for a parent. Our coaches are kind, but also know how to motivate kids to make positive changes.

Behavioral Curriculum

Our coaches work with your children on skills that impact behavior, such as:

• How to Complete Chores Without Having to be Reminded
• Getting Up on Time
• Getting Through Their Morning Routine
• Being Mindful When Faced With Stress
• Being an Active Listener
• Keeping Your Room and Workspace Tidy
• Shifting Attention When Parents Are Speaking
• Having Better Two-Way Conversations
• Thinking Before Speaking
• Refraining from Impulsive Behavior
• Understanding Different Points of View
• Handling Fights With Siblings
• Having a Healthy Relationship with Technology
• Handling Disagreements With Parents

…and many more

HabitCard and Check-Ins

When a kid sets a goal with one of our coaches, the coach sets up a HabitCard to help track progress and behavior changes. Our assistant coaches provide mid-week check-ins to keep children accountable and ensure they are staying on track with their goals.

Parent Meetings

As part of our packages, coaches meet regularly with parents to gather their input, ensure that the “triangle” is working well together, and teach parents techniques that support behavior change.

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How Does HabitCoach Help Me Be a More Effective Parent?

Coach Your Own Child is a revolutionary program for parents who are self-starters and have a DIY approach to parenting. Here, we have provided parents with easy-to-follow training designed for parents with busy lives.

What Parents Love About This Program

For 75 High-Demand Parenting Issues designed to help your child excel academically, Coach Your Own Child offers the following:

• Self-Evaluation – Together, parent and child complete an in-depth questionnaire that identifies the child’s Executive Functioning strengths and weaknesses. This serves as a blueprint for identifying challenges to work on and highlighting the strengths your child can rely on.
• Mini-Lessons – Each lesson takes 30 minutes or less. Lessons introduce the topic, provide discussion questions, and share multiple winning strategies your child can try.
• “Before and After” Videos – For every topic, we provide a video that shows “What We Sometimes Say” examples of ineffective parenting, followed by a “Here’s A Better Way” example to give parents language and techniques to engage with their child.
• Cheat Sheets – When you’re faced with a stressful situation with your child, these quick-reference guides offer a concise summary of strategies and words you can use in the moment.

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Is Your Child Struggling to Behave at Home and School?

Ask yourself:

• Does your child tune you out when you talk to them?
• Do you get calls from their teacher that they are disruptive or not listening at school?
• Is your child’s lack of self-control creating problems at home?
• Does your child fight with siblings and friends more than you feel they should?
• Do you worry about their ability to make friends or how they behave when you’re not around?
• Do you feel like they couldn’t function without your constant reminders?

If these sound familiar, your child may need extra support to overcome Executive Function challenges and become the independent, cooperative person you know they can be.

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How HabitCoach Helps Children With Behavior Problems Become Their Best Selves

At HabitCoach, we help children develop the essential Executive Function skills they need to thrive at home, at school, and socially. Whether your child struggles with friendships, cooperating at home, or working with others at school, our behavior-focused coaching is designed to provide targeted support and strategies.

Our Executive Function Coaches work with your child to:

• Develop personalized strategies to address behavioral issues that are causing problems for them at home, school, or in their daily life.
• Build habits that improve listening, impulse control, and managing their emotions.
• Foster a growth mindset and boost their confidence, making home and school life feel less overwhelming.

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The Neuroscience Behind Behavioral Issues

Executive Function relies on key brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, which helps children plan, make decisions, and focus. A child’s emotional control and behavior can suffer when these brain systems aren’t functioning as they should.

Many children struggle with Executive Function issues due to conditions like ADHD or just normal Executive Function development, which takes place from birth to age 25. At HabitCoach, we understand how these challenges can impact behavior at home and school, and work directly to improve your child’s ability to get along in their world.

Get Your Child the Behavioral Support They Need to Succeed

Don’t wait for behavioral struggles to get worse. HabitCoach offers the support your child needs to develop critical self-management skills that will last a lifetime. With the right strategies, your child can learn to:

• Handle their emotions
• Manage time
• Stay focused
• Remember responsibilities
• Control impulse
• Listen
• Get along better at home and at school.

Why Choose HabitCoach?

• Experience – We have been working with kids to help them achieve their full potential for over a decade.
• Expert Coaches – Our experienced coaches are skilled in helping children improve academic performance through better Executive Function skills.
• Personalized Support – We create customized coaching plans for your child’s unique challenges.
• Proven Results – We help children develop positive behavioral habits that enable them to thrive socially, academically, and at home.