8 Strategies For Parents to Build Executive Functioning at Home
8 Strategies to Improve Executive Function at Home
1. Create a daily morning routine Encourage your child to develop a morning routine. This may include bed-making, toothbrushing, and preparing breakfast. You can make mornings smoother by creating a visual checklist of tasks they need to complete before leaving for school. Reinforce their progress by praising their efforts and discussing how completing these tasks positively impacts their day. Over time, this routine will become second nature.
2. Assign responsibility for household tasks
Assign specific days for your child to complete chores such as picking up toys, vacuuming, and doing the dishes. Consider their age and current level of knowledge when assigning tasks and providing assistance. For example, designate Wednesday as “laundry day,” where they fold or hang clothes for themselves or the family. Maybe they start by managing just their clothes or by taking on the task of sorting first. Gradually increase their responsibilities and decrease supervision over time. You can gradually introduce more responsibilities, like helping prepare meals, to build their confidence and sense of accountability within the household.
3. Use visual guides for chores Even the simplest chores can be challenging if your child struggles with working memory. Create visual guides such as charts, checklists, and diagrams for household tasks so your child can remember and complete them more effectively until they become second nature. For example, a checklist for setting the table might include steps like “Place plates,” “Add utensils,” and “Put out napkins.” These guides help your child remember and follow through with tasks without repeated verbal reminders. As they gain confidence and familiarity with the routines over time, they’ll require less guidance and feel more capable of handling responsibilities independently.
4. Encourage healthy sleep habits Support your child in maintaining a consistent bedtime schedule so they wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Support your child in establishing a schedule that allows for adequate sleep, such as winding down with calming activities like reading or light stretching. Advise your child to avoid screens at least half an hour before bedtime because blue light from digital devices can disrupt sleep patterns. When your child gets enough rest, they are more likely to stay focused and capable of managing daily tasks. This leads us to our next strategy – limit digital distractions.
5. Limit digital distractions Studies show that excessive screen time affects focus and limits executive function. Work with your child to set boundaries around social media and gaming. For example, set specific times when devices are turned off, such as during homework or an hour before bed. Take advantage of parental controls to facilitate screen time. Encourage alternative activities like reading, drawing, or outdoor play to balance their day.
6. Emphasize nighttime preparations Helping your child prioritize tasks minimizes last-minute stress and sets them up for a more organized day. Teach them to prepare for the next day by packing their school bag, finishing homework, and charging their devices the night before. You can make this process easier by creating a checklist or placing a “night-before” station near their workspace. This routine not only reduces the likelihood of forgetting important items but also reinforces planning and organizational skills that will benefit them in the long term.
7. Develop a productive approach towards homework Instead of attempting to complete big projects in one sitting, the night before they are due, teach your child to start early and break down the task into smaller steps. Initially, you may show them how to divide the work into stages by starting with research then working on an outline, and so on. Setting a clear starting point for each task can also make the process less overwhelming. It is also important to provide them with a distraction-free study environment at home where they can focus more on homework. This space should be quiet, well-lit, and free of unnecessary items like toys or devices that aren’t needed for their work. Encourage them to keep their materials organized, such as using a folder or binder for each subject. Establishing a consistent routine, like completing homework at the same time each day, also helps build a habit of productivity. Celebrate their progress along the way to motivate them further.
8. Teach self-regulation techniques Start with simple calming strategies like deep breathing exercises, where they inhale slowly for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds. Introduce mindfulness practices, such as focusing on their senses or imagining a calming scene, to help them stay grounded. For times when they feel restless or overwhelmed, brief movement breaks like stretching or jumping jacks can help release built-up tension. Discuss scenarios where these techniques might be helpful, such as staying emotionally balanced during sibling conflict.
