Developing Strong Executive Function in Children

Parents looking for tutoring in Fairfield CT, or anywhere else in the United States are learning more about how important having an executive functioning coach is for their child's development. A well-developed executive function not only helps children who are school-aged, but the skills and habits that are developed in this area will also serve them well during their college experience and in their professional years.

What Is Executive Function, and Why Is it Important to a Child's Development?

It's difficult to overstate the importance of developing executive function in children. Many people refer to the part of the brain that controls executive function as the command center. It helps individuals manage their everyday lives and informs them about how to function as they navigate life's necessary tasks. For example, the ability to consistently meet deadlines is part of a well-developed executive function. Many children, especially those with conditions such as ADHD and ADD, have difficulty mastering this function.

5 Signs that Might Mean a Child Needs Help With Their Executive Function

Many parents wonder if their children require additional help with their development. While a little extra help can be of benefit to any child, children who exhibit these five signs may need extra help to meet baseline skills.

1. Struggle with time management
2. Disorganized with their school materials and personal belongings
3. Have difficulty following multistep instructions
4. Inability to prioritize tasks in order of importance
5. Suffer from procrastination when starting or finishing tasks and responsibilities

These signs are often a clear indication that someone needs extra assistance in building the skills necessary to navigate everyday life. Fortunately, there are many options available to meet these needs. 

How Coaching Can Help Children Develop Executive Function

One-on-one coaching is an effective way to provide students who are struggling with the help they need. These skill-building sessions focus on real world skills that provide the student with the information they need to succeed. The habit and skill building that occurs during coaching sessions can include:

• Ability to change course when an approach isn't working
• Tools to manage stress, anxiety, and nervousness
• Prioritize tasks in order of importance
• Begin and complete tasks in a timely manner
• Organize one's thoughts and communicate them clearly

It's easy to see how the development, or lack, of these skills can have a significant effect on someone's life. By focusing on this development during a child's school years, it helps to ensure their academic success now and in the future. 

How ADHD and ADD Affect Executive Function

There is a lot of information about the challenges that students with ADD or ADHD face, but there are also some more positive aspects that occur with these conditions. It's important to focus on building a child's confidence in their intellectual ability, especially when they face additional learning challenges.

By increasing a child's executive function, their confidence will also grow. ADHD students are able to harness their energy and attention more successfully when they have the required tools available. By increasing their executive function through coaching, parents are helping them develop the skill set and habits that are necessary to succeed in both school and in life. Habit and skill development is more effective with repetition and attention to the student's unique needs, making this task more appropriate for one-on-one learning situations. 

Fortunately, there are a number of different effective tools that are available to help develop your child's executive function skills. Study sessions are an effective way to help children develop these important skills in a controlled environment. Coaching also provides more personal attention, which is not always possible in a classroom setting. It's important to take any steps necessary to unlock a child's full potential, and executive function coaching is a good way to start. Parents who are seeking an effective way to increase their child's academic and life success can begin their journey by enlisting the help of a coach or personal tutor to assist their child in developing the life skills they need.

This is an ideal time to learn more about the available tools that can help students and children who are struggling with executive function and how they can help.