Helping a child with executive function involves strategies that support skills like planning, organizing, time management, self-regulation and problem-solving.
Here are 8 key strategies to help set them up for success:
- Routine, routine, routine – the key here is to create this together. Listen to what works for them – do they need 30 minutes when they get home to unwind or would they rather get started straight away?; Which days do they have extra demands on their time?; What time of day suits them best to work – it might be after dinner…
- Help them with positive self-talk – model saying “this is hard but I’m going to get it done”, “this feels overwhelming so I’ll break it down into smaller parts”; get them to come up with their own mantra, for example “I can do this, I will keep trying”
- Get them to identify negative self-talk – ask them to respond how they would to a friend struggling; challenge those thoughts – are they helpful? What would be more helpful?
- Organisation is key – encourage the young person to spend time creating a workspace that will help their focus, rather than hinder it. A clear desk; an area free of distractions; work organised in folders so it is easy to store/retrieve; phone and desktop set to silent during homework times; stationary, calculator, paper etc. in easy reach
- Getting started – this is often one of the trickiest parts. Spending a few minutes listing the work that needs to be done and what it should look like when it is finished is important to keep the work on track.
For example: Essay intro – highlight main point of essay, include a hook to draw the reader in, give background information. Minimum 10 lines. Check grammar and spelling. There is satisfaction in ticking off what has been achieved!
- Estimate the time needed to complete tasks – this will help them stick to some sort of schedule and allow them to learn how long/short some tasks take – we often over/underestimate! Teachers often state how long an assignment should take. Then use a pomodoro timer to help maximise focus for a specific length of time.
- Identify time robbers! We all get sidetracked at times but this makes tasks take longer than they need to. Help the young person identify their time robbers, for example: checking messages, scrolling on social media, tidying, bathroom/drink breaks etc. and then set boundaries – set a time to look at social media, put phone outside of room; go to the bathroom and get a drink before they start studying…
- Check-in with them and be their support person. Praise their effort not the outcome and reward them. Ask them: what is helping/not helping? What are their biggest barriers? Can they think of ways to help/change this?
To meet with a professional psychologist or counsellor, call The Other Clinic at 8809 0659 or email us hello@theotherclinic.sg.