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Executive Functioning Checklist: Where does your child fall?

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Filling out an executive functioning checklist was a common task for me as a teacher. Every year, I’d have at least a handful of children being evaluated for ADHD , Autism , a learning disability , anxiety , or other conditions that might manifest themselves at least partially with executive dysfunction. While I was trained and familiar with the process, I knew it could be very overwhelming or confusing for parents just learning about executive functioning. This was especially hard for parents who had been agonizing while their child struggled and they just wanted to help. 

If you find yourself in the same boat, don’t panic! Executive functioning is a broad concept, but one you can understand with some basic definitions, examples, and a little background knowledge. Hopefully the information I can provide you here will help you start having conversations with your child’s teacher, pediatrician, therapist, and/or the rest of your family. Then, you’ll be able to come up with some strategies for overcoming your child’s unique blend of executive dysfunction. 

What is executive functioning? 

Broadly speaking, executive functioning is a name given to a family of brain processes that all work together to help you remember, plan, and do daily activities. When someone manages to wake up on time, eat breakfast, get dressed, gather necessary supplies, handle a cut while shaving, and leave for work on time, they’re using all eight executive functions. 

The eight executive functions exist with some overlap (as you’ll see in the checklist), but are usually categorized as follows:

Response inhibition (aka impulse control)

• Planning & prioritizing
• Emotional control
• Mental flexibility
• Working memory
• Task initiation
• Self-monitoring

Organization

All children will likely struggle with some aspect of executive functioning (which then is frequently called an executive dysfunction ) at some point in their lives. This is because children’s brains develop at different rates, and they mature in fits and spurts. If you don’t believe me, first find me a child who walked out of the womb understanding how to get to bed on time! 

However, children who struggle with multiple functions for long periods of time likely won’t just ‘grow out’ of their challenges. Though causes are still being studied, some children seem to simply have brains that aren’t wired the same and seem predisposed to executive dysfunction. Kids in this boat generally use targeted interventions that help them improve in their weak areas. ( If you’re looking for strategies and activities to do at home to work on executive functioning, you should check out my Masterlist! ) 

Before you can think about interventions, however, you’ll need to know specifically what areas of executive functioning are a struggle for your child. And that’s where the checklist comes in. 

How to use the executive functioning checklist

As with any hallmark of parenting, this checklist is a multitasker. First of all, it provides you and your child useful information that helps you understand his or her beautiful little brain better. In addition, it provides good data for other professionals to use when further examining what kinds of interventions, diagnoses, and/or medications might best help your child improve and thrive. Like I mentioned at the start, executive functioning checklists are frequently seen at school IEP meetings, and they also pop up in pediatrician appointments and therapy sessions. 

I find it’s useful to first look at the executive functioning checklist yourself and complete an inventory of your child (or possibly jointly with your spouse). That way, you have a good snapshot of how you view your child’s strengths and weaknesses before you hear how they personally view themselves. Then, depending on your child’s age, you can either give them a copy of the checklist and have them do a self-evaluation, or you can verbally ask them to go through the questions with you. 

Feel free to compare notes at the end, but be sure not to try and sway their answers one way or another until then. Allow them to share their view of themself in total honesty. In addition, “self-monitoring” is an executive function itself, and a radically different understanding of themselves when compared to how others see them is essentially data in its own right. 

About this Checklist

There are no “right” answers to the checklist, just as there are no wrong answers. This is not a diagnostic test either. The executive functioning checklist exists to give you a better understanding of your kiddo, their strengths, and their weaknesses. When you and your child have finished completing your executive functioning checklist, you can bring them with you to meetings or appointments and the professionals can take over from there. With you and your child, they’ll help you make targeted behavior plans, talk about interventions, and any other therapeutic ideas they have, if you jointly see a need. 

And that’s it! So without further ado, I present to you…

The Executive Functioning Checklist

• Makes careless mistakes just to get work ‘done’ 
• Gives up as soon as they encounter a problem or challenge
• Blurts out answers instead of raising hand
• Does all the fun parts of an assignment first to avoid the hard parts
• Starts work before teacher finishes giving directions
• Engages in ‘risky’ behavior
• Avoids or doesn’t complete homework
• Struggles to take turns
• Interrupts others while they’re talking
• Touches others bodies or possessions without permission

Planning & Prioritizing

• Can’t chunk larger assignments into smaller pieces 
• Doesn’t know where to start on a project or assignment
• Gets ‘stuck’ easily
• Often turns in assignments late because they underestimated complexity 
• Prefers multiple choice questions to open-ended responses
• Struggles to take notes since everything seems equally important
• Has difficulty making decisions
• Struggles with strategizing and/or multi-step problem solving

Executive Functioning Checklist: Mental flexibility

• Can become fixated on aspects of a routine (wants to sit in the same place, eat the same food, wear the same clothes, etc)
• Struggles with transitions: between classes, activities, home/school, weekend/weekday, etc
• Copes poorly when schedules or routines change
• Can become ‘hyperfocused’ on one topic, idea, activity, etc
• Struggles to switch gears

Working Memory

• Really struggles to take notes from lectures (writing and listening at the same time)
• Experiences ‘information overload’ easily when too much is presented too quickly
• Finds mental math especially challenging
• Struggles to remember multi-step directions and follow them out
• May frequently forget what they were planning to say after raising hand or starting to speak
• Might need to read text passages (especially dense or long-winded ones) over and over to fully comprehend meaning
• Struggles with tracking the flow of conversations and participating appropriately

Emotional Control

• Can have angry outbursts at slight provocations
• Quick to call things ‘unfair’
• Struggle to persevere through difficulties in homework
• Overreacts to negative situations (when disciplined, getting a bad grade, losing a game)
• May unexpectedly laugh hysterically or burst into tears 
• Seems to have rapid mood changes
• Appears not to care about others’ feelings

Executive Functioning Checklist: Task Initiation

• Doesn’t know where to start on an assignment or project, even if directions were just given
• Has trouble focusing again after a break
• Procrastinates starting work until the last minute
• Finds other things to do instead of work (frequently going to the bathroom, sharpening pencil, being on phone, etc)
• Frequently seen with their head down during work time
• Asks for help all the time, even when you know they understand the material and are capable of the work

Self-Monitoring

• Unaware of how much effort they do or don’t put into their work
• Think of grades somewhat magically, and confused/surprised by poor grades
• Doesn’t recognize when their behavior negatively affects others
• Talks too loudly or quickly
• Might need to be told to sit down, stop touching that, put that down, etc, multiple times
• Doesn’t think to check around them to gauge appropriate social behavior
• Might unknowingly exhibit “annoying” repetitive behaviors like pencil tapping, knee-bouncing, or the like, even when others complain. 
• Frequently loses assignments, supplies, library books, important messages, etc
• Doesn’t change behaviors, even if they seem to want to/see consequences for disorganization
• Doesn’t use planners, even if given one
• Has a disastrous-looking backpack, bedroom, and/or work space and has trouble finding anything 
• Loses electronic files/emails because they can’t remember where they stored them, or under what file name

Where to go Next

Now that you’ve finished going through your executive functioning checklist for yourself and with your child, you probably have a much better picture of their strengths and weaknesses!

I’ll suggest once again that you hop over and read the next article in this little series on executive functioning, the Executive Functioning Activities Masterlist . There, you’ll find a one stop shop for all kinds of fun games and activities that help your child build up their weak areas of executive functioning.

For further reading on this topic:

• Help My Child Focus Naturally: 5 Tried and True Strategies for Home
• 25+ Learning Accommodations for ADHD
• Sanity-Saving Activities for Children with Anxiety
• Homeschooling & ADHD: Set Yourself Up for Success

Or browse posts in our special needs category .

Hillary is a former teacher who went rogue and became a freelance writer. When not offering support and advice to homeschooling families, she tends to her own garden, family, and cat. You can connect with her on her website, homegrownhillary.com .

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Free Checklist: Common Executive Function Challenges — and Solutions

Share the accommodations listed in this free checklist with your child’s teacher to better address the executive functions challenges that impact learning, retention, and organization skills., executive function worksheet, are executive function challenges holding back your child in school share this checklist of interventions with your child's teacher, and get more school and learning strategies from additude via email..

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Your child daydreams regularly in class. She forgets to bring home the materials and books she needs to do her homework. She has difficulty remembering all the steps required to solve a multi-step math or word problem. She takes longer than most kids to memorize multiplication tables and facts. These are all academic challenges that students with weak executive functions may exhibit in the classroom.

What can parents do to help?

Print out this free checklist of executive function challenges. Then, check off the accommodations that have been effective (or you think may be effective). Before school starts, talk them over with your child’s teacher. The concrete solutions to common executive challenges that you find here will help make the academic year smoother for everyone.

NOTE: This resource is for personal use only.

More ADHD Articles Recommended for You

Your Executive Functions Are Weak. Here’s Why.

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Bay Tree Blog

Teaching Tools for Educational Specialists

Free Download: The Strengthening Executive Function Workbook

Do you have students who do their assignments, but can’t remember to turn them in? Or maybe they want to get better test scores, but they can’t seem to initiate studying at home. Maybe they don’t even know what good study habits look like?

Chances are good your students are struggling with executive function.

I have a few of these students myself. As a matter of fact, most of my students have some sort of executive function challenge.

That’s why I’ve created and shared this free workbook of executive function resources. This downloadable PDF has detailed teacher instructions and templates for teaching students to make their own homework plans, organize test preparation, and overcome emotional frustrations.

This 10-page workbook includes 3 activities which support planning, time management, and emotional regulation:

• Activity 1 – Homework: Creating A Daily Plan
• Activity 2 – Emotions: Finding Solutions
• Activity 3 – Tests: Planning For Success

In case you missed it, in my recent interview with educational therapist, Pamm Scribner, we discuss executive function in detail, including lots of strategies and tips for supporting these different learners.

You can join the Bay Tree Blog community by subscribing below. As soon as you confirm your email address, you’ll receive access to download all our free programs, including The Strengthening Executive Function Workbook.

If you enjoy using these materials with your students, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Please share with friends and colleagues by sending them to: www.BayTreeBlog.com/ExecutiveFunctionWorkbook .

Become a Subscriber

As soon as you confirm your email address, you’ll receive access to our Free Downloads Archive.

Already a Subscriber?

Visit the Free Downloads Archive , enter your password, and enjoy! Forgot your password? Just contact us .

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35 Replies to “Free Download: The Strengthening Executive Function Workbook”

Hi! I find your suggestions very apt and exactly just right in dealing with difficult students in school. May I know how and where I can download the workbook and worksheets? Thank you in advance!

Hi Paul – Thanks so much for your feedback! To download the workbook, all you need to do is subscribe using the yellow box above. The first e-mail you’ll receive will include instructions about how to access the free materials, including the EF Workbook. Feel free to contact us about what works or if you have any suggestions.

Could you or have you done a post on how parents can help at home that teachers could share?

Kim — thanks so much for your fabulous idea. What challenges do you face as a parent or teacher in terms of supporting students at home?

I subscribed but still am unable to download the executive function workbook. Please help.

Thanks so much for letting us know. Once you subscribe to the blog, the first e-mail you’ll receive will provide instructions on how to access the free downloads archive. Did the e-mail make it to you? If not, try checking your spam folder.

We’re in the process of updating access to the system, so it’s easier for folks to get what they need.

Anne-Marie,

Your 25 must have tools is so very, very helpful to me. I have been working in schools and will be starting a private practice in the near future. I have spent several hours looking up your resources and writing a list of all the books and tools I want to order. Thank you so much for this wonderful and helpful list.

Dona, your comment just made my day! I’m so glad you found the article helpful. It’s so hard when you’re starting a practice to decide on which programs to invest in. Goodness knows I’ve bought some doozies. Check back in and let us know how things go for you.

I would like to access your workbook please.

I found it-thank you:)

I would love some new ideas for my students

Always nice to come across new things to use with students. Thank you for taking the time and making this great resource available to others.

Thanks so much, Connie. I hope you find it helpful!

I’ve sat in 2 IEP meetings in the last 2 weeks, with parents expressing concern for their child’s executive functioning. This would be such a great tool to help them!!!

Kate — Please do share the tools with parents! Are there specific EF challenges you’re hearing parents mention? I’d love to develop something specific.

This article is a blessing for me. I’ve been browsing a lot of articles on how else can I help my students with disabilities. And came across your blog.I’m a special education teacher. My colleagues in my school will be very happy for this. Thanks a lot Anne Marie for your expertise.

Thank you Corazon for your lovely comment. I hope you and your colleagues find the tools helpful.

I’d like to access your blog/executive skill worksheets but am unable to do so.

What do I need to do in order to access them? I keep entering my email address but alas never receive a confirmation email.

Thanks so much. I’m desperately attempting to assist my extremely bright daughter who is becoming very down and hard on herself because she can’t do what her peers do. She’s becoming depressed as a result. These work sheets could possibly help her immensely.

Thanks so much in advance…

Patty, if you haven’t receiving the confirmation e-mail, try checking your spam folder. Otherwise, some school firewalls will prevent people from downloading materials. You can always try on a personal computer.

I would love to join your blog!

Welcome, Irene! You’ll see the “Join the Bay Tree Community” on the left side bar. Just click, enter your e-mail, and you’re set!

Hi Anne-Marie, I’d just like to write a few words to congratulate you on the amazing work you have put together on your website. Very informative! From one Educational Therapist to another: WOW! I love your website! Thanks, Gaby

Gaby — I so appreciate you taking the time to comment. That means so much to me. I’m so glad to see an Educational Therapist finding the website helpful.

Thanks for the free download. It is difficult to teach executive function.

dear Anne-Marie i would like to know do you have any idea about EF management in ADHD preschool children? I think it is essential to make a workbook for them and especially their parents. my phd thesis is on this topic and i will be so glad if you can show me some points. best regards mahidis

Anne- I am interested in the executive function worksheets for a high school student I work with. I am an occupational therapist and this workbook would be useful for many students I work with. Thanks, J.P.

I have a son who has struggled with ADHD. He has just started Middle school and they say he is very disorganized. My goal is to help him have the tools he needs to succeed. It breaks my heart to see him struggle. I’m looking forward to reading more of your suggestions.

Hi Christine — thanks so much for sharing your experience. The transition to middle school can be tough, especially for kids with ADHD.

Great Ideas, would LOVE to explore new and creative ideas from other teachers/therapists!

its realy helpful to deal with my adhd child

Looks like a great resource for the work I do with kids with executive functioning deficiencies!

I can’t wait to try this with my daughter who is struggling with executive functioning right now.

Our teaching team has been working diligently to meet our student EF needs. We would love the support. Thank you so much.

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Executive Functioning Skills Checklist: Enhance Productivity & Success

Executive functioning skills are essential for individuals to manage daily tasks, plan activities, regulate emotions, and achieve both short-term and long-term goals. These skills encompass a variety of cognitive processes, such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. The importance of these skills cannot be understated, as they play a crucial role in various aspects of life including learning, social interactions, and emotional well-being.

Assessing and understanding executive functioning skills can be challenging, but implementing an executive functioning skills checklist can be a powerful tool to support this process. By breaking down essential behaviors and competencies, these checklists can provide valuable insights into an individual's strengths and areas for improvement. This, in turn, can guide parents, educators, and individuals themselves in supporting the development and enhancement of these critical life skills.

Key Takeaways

• Executive functioning skills are crucial for daily tasks, emotional well-being, and social interactions.
• An executive functioning skills checklist is a valuable tool to assess strengths and areas for improvement.
• Proper assessment and support can lead to significant improvements in an individual's executive functioning skills.

Understanding Executive Functioning Skills

Executive functioning skills are the cognitive abilities that help us manage daily tasks, solve problems, and organize our behavior. These skills are essential for successful learning and adapting in different situations. Let's explore what executive functioning is and how it develops throughout childhood.

Executive function is a set of cognitive processes that include working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. These processes play a crucial role in helping individuals plan, organize, and execute daily tasks. The center on the developing child explains that executive function skills lay the foundation for important life skills like time management, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.

Developing strong executive functioning skills is essential for academic success and overall well-being. These skills emerge during early childhood and continue to develop throughout adolescence. A supportive environment with plenty of opportunities for children to practice these cognitive processes contributes significantly to their development.

Here's a checklist of some key executive functioning skills:

• Working Memory : The ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind, such as remembering steps in a complex task or solving math problems mentally.
• Cognitive Flexibility : The capacity to think creatively and adapt to changing situations, such as generating alternative solutions to a problem or adjusting to a new routine.
• Inhibitory Control : The ability to resist impulses and focus on a task, such as waiting for one's turn in a game or ignoring distractions during a test.

Parents and educators can support the development of executive functioning skills by providing a nurturing environment with clear guidelines, structure, and opportunities for independent decision-making. Encouraging children to engage in activities that challenge their cognitive abilities, such as puzzles, memory games, and role-playing scenarios, can also help enhance these skills.

In summary, understanding executive functioning skills is essential to support children's cognitive development and well-being. With the right strategies and resources, children can grow into adults with strong executive functions, better prepared for life's challenges.

Get your FREE Executive Function Skills Checklist!

Get your Free Executive Function Skills Checklist Here or by clicking the image below!

Significance of Executive Functioning Skills

Executive functioning skills play a crucial role in children's learning experiences, both at home and in school. These skills encompass cognitive processes that help children regulate their behavior, engage in problem-solving, and adapt to new situations. Developing strong executive functioning skills can positively impact various aspects of a child's life, from academic performance to social interactions.

In the classroom, teachers recognize the importance of these skills, as they enable children to perform various tasks, such as following instructions, staying organized, and controlling impulses. Proper development of executive functioning during infancy and early childhood can help children thrive in their education journey, ultimately leading to a more successful learning experience.

At home, parents can play a significant role in fostering their child's executive functioning skills by incorporating various strategies and activities into daily life. Creating consistent routines, offering age-appropriate challenges, and giving ample opportunities for children to practice self-regulation can all help improve these skills. Moreover, open communication between parents and teachers can ensure a supportive environment that encourages continued development both in school and at home.

In social settings, executive functioning skills help children navigate various interactions with their peers, enhancing their ability to develop meaningful relationships. These skills are essential for participation in group activities, cooperating with others, and understanding the perspectives of others; all of which contribute to a more fulfilling social experience.

It is important, therefore, for parents and educators to prioritize the development of executive functioning skills in children's early years. By doing so, they can provide a strong foundation that will support children's learning, social interactions, and overall growth throughout their educational journey.

Key Executive Functioning Skills

Planning is an essential executive functioning skill that involves the ability to create and follow a roadmap to achieve a specific goal. This includes breaking down tasks into steps, estimating the time required, and anticipating potential obstacles. Developing strong planning skills helps individuals become more efficient and effective in managing their daily activities.

Organization

Organization involves arranging information, tasks, or objects in a systematic manner that allows for easy access and retrieval. Proper organization aids in time management and makes it easier to keep track of responsibilities. By teaching organization skills, individuals can improve their productivity and overall functioning.

Working Memory

Working memory is the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind for short periods. It is essential for problem-solving, learning, and following instructions. Enhancing working memory can benefit individuals in various aspects of life, from academic performance to social interactions.

Flexibility

Flexibility refers to the ability to adapt to changes and think about situations from different perspectives. It involves adjusting strategies and actions in response to new information or unexpected challenges. Fostering flexibility allows individuals to navigate life's unanticipated twists and turns more effectively.

Task Initiation

Task initiation is the ability to begin a task or project independently and promptly. It is essential in overcoming procrastination and making progress towards goals. Developing this skill can boost productivity and decrease stress associated with unfinished tasks.

Emotional Control

Emotional control involves managing one's emotions and reactions to various situations. This skill is critical for maintaining composure under pressure and responding appropriately to challenging experiences. Cultivating emotional control helps strengthen resilience, interpersonal relationships, and overall mental well-being.

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and control one's behavior, thoughts, and emotions. It enables individuals to manage impulsivity, maintain focus, and adhere to societal norms. Teaching self-regulation skills can contribute to improved academic, social, and emotional functioning.

Response Inhibition

Response inhibition involves suppressing inappropriate or impulsive behaviors in favor of more suitable actions. This skill is crucial for self-discipline and adhering to societal expectations. Enhancing response inhibition can result in better decision-making and improved social interactions.

Impulse Control

Impulse control is the capacity to resist immediate urges and think before acting. It is crucial for maintaining self-control and avoiding harmful or impulsive choices. Strengthening impulse control can lead to better decision-making and healthier relationships.

Prioritizing

Prioritizing involves determining the importance of tasks and activities and allocating resources accordingly. It is an essential skill for time management and achieving goals efficiently. Learning to prioritize effectively can improve productivity and reduce stress.

Problem Solving

Problem-solving is the ability to identify challenges, envision solutions, and implement appropriate strategies to overcome obstacles. This skill is vital for navigating daily challenges and achieving long-term goals. Enhancing problem-solving abilities can contribute to greater adaptability, creativity, and overall success.

Mental Flexibility

Mental flexibility refers to the capacity to think about situations, ideas, or problems from multiple perspectives and adjust mental strategies as needed. It is essential for adapting to change, learning from experience, and fostering creativity. Encouraging mental flexibility can lead to increased problem-solving skills and a more adaptive outlook on life.

Assessing Executive Functioning Skills

Assessing executive functioning skills is essential for identifying potential executive function disorder in children and adults. A checklist can be a helpful tool for parents, teachers, and clinicians to monitor and evaluate an individual's progress. Executive functions include skills such as planning, organization, impulse control, and working memory, which play a crucial role in an individual's daily life.

One of the widely used tools for evaluating executive functions is the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) . This inventory measures executive functioning by focusing on two main domains; inhibitory control and working memory. Assessments also consider children's ability to initiate and complete tasks independently, manage their emotions, and exhibit appropriate social skills.

Another popular instrument for assessing executive functioning is the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) , which is available for preschool-aged children. This inventory measures various executive function components, including cognitive flexibility, goal setting, and problem-solving. Caregivers evaluate the child's behavior using a questionnaire, offering useful insights into the child's strengths and weaknesses.

In addition to these standardized assessments, it is crucial to observe an individual's behavior in different settings, such as home, school, and social situations. This comprehensive approach allows professionals to get a clearer picture of the person's executive functioning abilities, helping them make more accurate diagnoses.

When assessing executive functioning skills, it is essential to be patient, supportive, and compassionate. Recognize that the individual may experience difficulties with certain tasks or situations, and provide encouragement along the way. By doing so, parents, teachers, and clinicians can work together to better understand the individual's needs and develop appropriate strategies to help them succeed.

Building Executive Functioning Skills

Practical games.

One of the most enjoyable ways to support the development of executive functioning skills is through playing practical games . Engaging games that involve problem-solving, memory, planning, and focus can greatly enhance a child's cognitive abilities. Some popular games include:

• Puzzles : Encourages problem-solving and critical thinking
• Simon Says : Develops impulse control, focus, and attention
• Memory Games : Enhances working memory and attention to detail
• Board Games : Boosts strategic planning and decision-making skills

Classroom Activities

Schools play an important role in fostering executive functioning skills through classroom activities . Teachers can incorporate various strategies into daily lessons to support and enhance cognitive development. Here are a few useful activities:

• Goal Setting : Encourage students to set personal goals for projects, assignments, or even in-class activities. It helps them plan and prioritize tasks.
• Task Breakdown : Divide larger tasks into smaller steps, making it easier for students to manage and complete them.
• Timers : Implement time management activities to encourage students to finish their work within a specified time.
• Reflective Journaling : Encourage students to write about their actions, emotions, and thoughts. This supports self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Home Activities

Supporting your child's executive functioning development can continue at home through practical activities that promote organization, time management, and focus. Here are a few suggestions:

• Chores : Assign age-appropriate tasks, such as cleaning up toys or making the bed. This fosters responsibility and builds organizational skills.
• Meal Planning : Involve your child in planning and preparing meals together. This encourages decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Reading Time : Allocate a dedicated time for reading each day. This helps improve focus and concentration.
• Family Discussions : Engage your child in family conversations to encourage active listening, communication, and emotional regulation skills.

By incorporating these games, activities, and practices, you can support your child's executive functioning skills development and prepare them for greater success in school and life.

Strategies for Improvement

Enhancing executive functioning skills is essential for individuals with attention deficits or those diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. It's beneficial to consider several strategies that can support improvement in these areas. Keep in mind that the tone of the following section is friendly, and we are using a third-person point of view.

One effective method to foster progress in executive functioning is by creating a checklist for various tasks. This approach enables individuals to remain organized, focused, and on track with their goals. The act of ticking off the items on the list can also evoke a sense of accomplishment and motivate them to continue practicing these valuable skills.

Establishing a structured daily routine can also be helpful as consistency aids in enhancing executive functioning. A well-planned routine might include regular times for wake-up, meals, work or school, exercise, and relaxation. This structure helps train the brain to focus on tasks and promotes better management of time and attention.

Another strategy to consider is the use of a timer for tasks, especially those that require undivided attention. Setting a timer for work sessions, followed by short breaks, can aid in maintaining focus while preventing burnout. This technique, known as the Pomodoro method, boosts productivity and fosters the continued practice of executive functioning skills.

Incorporating mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can improve executive functioning by enhancing mental clarity and focus. These practices allow individuals to become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, leading to better self-regulation and decision-making.

Finally, seeking professional support in the form of therapy or coaching might be beneficial for those struggling with executive functioning skills. Therapists and coaches can offer tailored strategies and techniques to address specific challenges and promote healthy cognitive habits. One example is Goal Management Training , which has proven effective in helping individuals with executive functioning difficulties.

By employing these strategies and maintaining a consistent practice, individuals can work toward improving their executive functioning skills and overall quality of life. The key is to stay committed and be patient with the progress.

Supporting Children with Executive Functioning Issues

Parental role.

Parents play a crucial role in helping their child develop executive functioning skills. They can support their child by creating a structured environment at home and providing routines that help promote consistency and predictability. This might include maintaining regular meal times, offering consistent bedtime routines, and establishing clear rules and expectations.

Encouraging open communication and actively listening to the child's concerns can help parents understand their child's needs. Offering guidance and modeling appropriate behavior can also foster better executive functioning skills.

Moreover, parents can support their children by implementing various strategies, such as:

• Creating visual schedules for daily routines.
• Using timers to help manage time and transitions.
• Breaking tasks into smaller, achievable steps.
• Providing specific and clear instructions.

Teacher's Role

Teachers can also support students with executive functioning issues by creating a structured classroom environment. This might involve posting schedules visually, using clear and concise instructions, and providing ample opportunities for students to practice their skills.

Some strategies that teachers can employ in the classroom include:

• Incorporating visual aids, such as charts, graphs, and diagrams to facilitate understanding.
• Using multisensory approaches when teaching new concepts.
• Offering frequent breaks and movement opportunities for students.
• Providing consistent and immediate feedback to help students stay on track.

Additionally, collaborating with parents and other professionals, like therapists, is essential to help students succeed academically and socially.

Therapist's Role

Therapists specializing in executive functioning issues can work closely with children, parents, and teachers to develop tailored interventions and strategies. They can help identify the specific executive functioning challenges a child is facing and recommend appropriate accommodations and supports.

In therapy, children can learn various skills, such as:

• Planning and organizing tasks.
• Flexibly adapting to changes in routines.
• Developing emotional regulation and self-control.

By working closely with parents and teachers, a therapist can ensure that the strategies and interventions implemented in the therapy sessions are effectively carried out in the child's daily life, creating a more supportive and consistent environment for growth and development.

Executive Function Skills and Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence refers to the natural variation in human brain functioning and encompasses a range of neurological differences such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Studies have suggested that executive function skills are differently developed or influenced in neurodivergent populations. This section explores the executive function skills and challenges faced by individuals with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and OCD.

Executive Function Skills and Autism

In individuals with autism, challenges in executive function skills are commonly observed. People with ASD may experience difficulties with:

• Working memory : Such as memorizing information and applying it to various tasks.
• Cognitive flexibility : Struggling with changes in routine and adapting to new information.
• Planning and organization : Difficulty in setting goals, breaking larger tasks into small steps, and organizing their environment.

Interventions and strategies such as visual schedules, social stories, and routine implementation can help support the development of these skills in individuals with autism.

Executive Function Skills and ADHD

ADHD is often associated with executive function difficulties, including:

• Inhibition : Trouble stifling impulsiveness and thinking before acting.
• Attention : Struggling to focus and maintain attention on tasks, and being easily distracted.
• Time management : Difficulty estimating the time needed for tasks and setting priorities.

To improve these executive function skills in individuals with ADHD, methods like behavioral interventions, organizational tools, and breaking tasks into smaller steps can be beneficial.

Executive Function Skills and Anxiety

Anxiety can also impact executive function skills, as it tends to affect an individual's:

• Working memory : Being preoccupied with anxious thoughts, which might hinder the ability to process and store new information.
• Attention : Difficulty concentrating due to excessive worry.
• Cognitive flexibility : Struggling to adapt to changing situations, often due to fear of the unknown.

Coping strategies such as mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, and psychotherapy may help improve executive function skills in those with anxiety.

Executive Function Skills and OCD

Individuals with OCD may experience challenges in executive function skills, particularly:

• Inhibition : Difficulty controlling obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
• Planning and organization : Being preoccupied with rigid routines and perfectionism, which might impact goal setting and task prioritization.
• Cognitive flexibility : A struggle to adjust to changes, as they may be perceived as threats to their established routines.

Treatment approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention, can support the improvement of executive function skills in those with OCD.

Are you Looking for Executive Function Tools to Add to Your Toolbox?

Check out the Neurodivergent Life Skills Toolbox Membership ! You will get access to a growing resource library and mini-courses to help you teach executive function skills and life skills to neurodivergent kids and teens.

Teenagers and Executive Functioning Skills

Teenagers go through significant changes as they transition from childhood to adolescence. Among these changes is the development of executive functioning skills. Executive functions are a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize, initiate, and regulate their thoughts and actions. They play a crucial role in a teenager's academic, social, and emotional well-being.

Adolescence is a critical stage for the development of executive functions, as the brain undergoes substantial changes during this period. A study on the development of executive functions in an Australian sample of children and adolescents found that these abilities develop throughout childhood and into adolescence.

To better support teenagers, it's essential to be aware of the different aspects of executive functioning skills. These include:

• Working memory : The ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind, even while being distracted
• Inhibitory control : The capacity to resist impulses, distractions, and prioritize tasks
• Cognitive flexibility : Willingness to adapt and shift mental focus based on changing demands and situations
• Planning and organization : Setting goals and planning steps to achieve those goals
• Time management : Estimating the duration of tasks and allocating appropriate time for completion
• Emotional regulation : Managing emotions and adjusting one's emotional response to various situations

An executive functioning skills checklist can help parents, teachers, and teenagers themselves identify areas they may struggle with. By identifying these challenges, they can develop appropriate interventions and strategies to improve these skills.

Teaching and reinforcing executive functioning skills in teenagers can have long-lasting benefits. A study exploring executive function and peer problems from early childhood through middle adolescence found that improved executive function could lead to better social skills and academic performance.

In conclusion, promoting executive functioning skills in teenagers is crucial for their overall development. By using a checklist to identify potential challenges and implementing appropriate strategies, parents and educators can provide adolescents with a strong foundation for success in various aspects of life.

Adults and Executive Functioning Skills

Adults rely on their executive functioning skills daily to navigate work, social life, and personal responsibilities. These skills include time management, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and organization. Developing and maintaining strong executive functioning skills can lead to improved mental health and overall well-being.

Difficulty in managing tasks, emotions, and relationships indicate that an adult may need to evaluate and improve their executive functioning skills. Assessing these skills can be done through various assessments like the CHEXI , which measures an individual's efficiency in different executive domains.

Some adults might face challenges with specific executive functioning skills, while others may encounter difficulties across several areas. It's crucial for them to identify these areas and implement targeted strategies to enhance their skills.

Incorporating consistent routines and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps can significantly improve an adult's executive functioning. Furthermore, setting specific goals and monitoring progress can aid in maintaining motivation and organizing activities more effectively.

Using resources like mobile applications, planners, and organizers can also support adults in honing their executive functioning skills. These tools can assist in time management, scheduling, and prioritizing tasks. In addition, they can help track habits and provide reminders of important appointments or deadlines.

Lastly, remember that it's essential for adults to practice self-compassion and patience while working on their executive functioning skills. Progress might seem slow initially, but consistency and determination will lead to substantial growth and success in the long run.

Tools and Accommodations

Developing executive functioning skills is crucial for managing daily tasks and achieving long-term goals. Tools and accommodations can help support individuals in improving these skills, particularly in areas like time management, self-monitoring, and metacognition. Here are some strategies and resources that can be beneficial.

Time management is a vital skill for organizing and prioritizing tasks. Using tools such as visual timers can help individuals to stay focused and allocate time effectively. In addition, implementing a daily schedule or calendar can significantly improve time management skills.

Interventions, such as targeted exercises and activities, can help support self-monitoring and self-control. For goals setting, teaching individuals to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) goals can facilitate progress monitoring and accomplishment. Regular check-ins with a support person, like an educator or therapist, can also enhance self-monitoring and accountability.

Graphic organizers, like checklists or visual maps , can be effective tools for planning projects, assignments, or daily activities. These visual aids enable individuals to break down tasks into manageable steps, simplifying complex processes and improving task completion.

For students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), accommodations may include extended time for assignments, reduced distractions, or alternative testing formats. These accommodations can be tailored to each person's unique needs, supporting their executive functioning growth. Check out this post on Executive Function IEP goals.

Metacognition, or the ability to think about one's thinking, plays a crucial role in improving executive functioning skills. Encourage individuals to take regular breaks during tasks, practice mindfulness, and reflect on their progress. This self-awareness can lead to better problem-solving, decision-making, and adjustments to strategies.

Finally, incorporating age-appropriate life skills training can also enhance executive functioning development. Teaching basic skills like cooking, laundry, or budgeting can help individuals apply executive functioning strategies to real-world situations.

Free Resources for Executive Functioning Skills

There are many excellent free resources available to help individuals improve their executive functioning skills. These resources usually come in the form of checklists, worksheets, and planning guides designed for personal use. They are an excellent starting point for those looking to enhance their skills in organization, time management, and decision-making.

One such resource is a free checklist that can help pinpoint specific areas that might need further attention. This user-friendly tool breaks down various aspects of executive functioning into different categories, making it easier for individuals to identify their strengths and weaknesses. It's an effective way to monitor progress over time.

In addition to checklists, there are several free worksheets available online designed to support executive functioning skill development. These worksheets often target specific skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving, or task prioritization. They provide structured activities and exercises to practice and enhance these critical abilities.

Planning skills are another essential aspect of executive functioning. To help improve these abilities, free resources such as daily planners and time management guides can be easily found online. These tools aid in the organization of daily tasks and help individuals effectively manage their time.

In a friendly and supportive tone, these free resources for executive functioning skills offer a great way to develop and bolster these essential abilities. Utilizing checklists, worksheets, and planning guides, individuals can take the first step in enhancing their executive functioning skills for personal growth and success.

Additional Executive Function Resources You Will Love!

Executive Function Skills by Age: A Comprehensive Guide for Milestones

25+ Executive Function Games to Boost Brain Skills

Executive Functioning Occupational Therapy: Enhancing Daily Life Skills

Executive Functioning Challenges with Task Initiation: Resources to Help Teach Life Skills

Executive Functioning IEP Goals

Uncovering the Powerful Connection Between Executive Function Skills and Emotional Regulation Abilities

Executive Function Coaching: Enhance Your Skills Today

Executive Function Activities: Boosting Brainpower with Fun Games

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common executive functioning skills for adults.

Executive functioning skills for adults include planning, organizing, time management, emotional regulation, and working memory. These skills help individuals to manage daily tasks, prioritize their work, and maintain an overall sense of well-being. Developing executive functioning skills can lead to increased productivity, better decision-making, and improved relationships with others.

How can I teach executive functioning skills at home?

Teaching executive functioning skills at home can involve various strategies and activities. Parents can help their children develop these skills through activities like setting routines, creating to-do lists, breaking down tasks into smaller steps, and encouraging time management. Playing games that involve planning, memory, or strategy, such as puzzles or board games, can also support executive functioning skills development.

How do executive functioning skills develop by age?

Executive functioning skills develop gradually throughout childhood, as the brain matures and grows. It is common for these skills to begin emerging during infancy and continually develop throughout the early years of life. Executive functioning skills tend to improve significantly during the late teenage years and early adulthood, as the prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions, reaches full maturity.

What is the executive functioning checklist for middle school students?

An executive functioning checklist for middle school students may include items that assess skills such as time management, organization, goal-setting, and problem-solving. Typical tasks on this checklist might involve tracking assignments and due dates, maintaining an organized workspace, breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps, and reflecting on progress towards personal goals. Teachers and parents can use such checklists in identifying areas where middle school students may need additional support in developing their executive functioning skills.

What is the executive functioning checklist for preschool children?

The executive functioning checklist for preschool children focuses on emerging skills that are essential for their cognitive development. This checklist might include items that assess attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and basic problem-solving abilities. Parents can observe and support their preschool children's executive functioning skills through activities that encourage creativity, social interaction, and emotional understanding.

Which key domains make up executive functioning skills?

Executive functioning skills can be divided into key domains, including cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control. Cognitive flexibility involves the ability to think, plan, and adjust one's behavior according to changing situations. Working memory refers to the capacity to store and manipulate information temporarily, while inhibitory control refers to the ability to suppress impulses and focus on a specific task. Developing these domains is crucial for an individual's overall cognitive functioning and success in various areas of life.

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6 FREE Executive Functioning Activity Worksheets

Do you work with children who struggle with executive function skills?  Some students can find it difficult to pay attention, stay focused, be organized, plan, self-monitor, self-regulate, or complete reading and writing assignments. These are all examples of executive function skills.  When executive function deficits are present, students can become frustrated, disengaged and give up.  Here are 6 FREE executive functioning activity worksheets to help students succeed.  You can download them all at the end of this post.

Freebie #1 Executive Functioning Activity Worksheets – Plan Long Term Assignments

The first executive functioning activity is for planning long-term assignments.  Students can use this worksheet to break down large assignments into manageable tasks with deadlines.  By documenting small goals, estimated time to complete each task and checkboxes to mark when done, students will be able to complete the large projects independently.

Freebie #2 Executive Functioning Activity Worksheets – Test Prep Sheet

If you have students who need help preparing for tests, this worksheet is super helpful.  It guides students to review the following :

• Chapters/Topics to be Covered 
• What I Need to Review 
• What is the Test Format?
• Days I Will Study
• Active Study Strategies I Plan to Use (includes 17 strategies)

Freebie #3 Executive Functioning Activity Worksheets – Reading Strategies for Textbooks

This one page freebie offers reading strategies for textbooks in checkbox/list format.  Strategies are listed for before reading, during reading and after reading.  It is perfect for folding it in half and tucking inside the textbook to refer to while reading.

Freebie #4 Executive Functioning Activity Worksheets – Writing Organizers

This freebie includes 2 sample writing organizers.  There is a middle school accordion organizer that includes the framework for the introduction, the body and the conclusion.  The high school organizer breaks down how to write the conclusion.

Freebie #5 Executive Functioning Activity Worksheets – Grade Tracker

The grade tracker helps students stay on top of their grades in different subjects to encourage motivation and to recognize what areas need improvement.

Freebie #6 Executive Functioning Activity Worksheets – Daily Planner Pages

The final freebie in the packet includes sample planner sheets.  The first 2 planner example pages include assignment requirements, after-school plan, Do Not Forget list, to-do list and weekend study plan. The third planner example page includes goals, reminders, homework, academic grades, gratitude reflection and more! 

GET MORE Executive Functioning Activity Worksheets

This entire freebie PDF packet is from the  Planning, Time Management, and Organization Skills Bundle .  This digital download was created by Dr. Erica Warren, a learning specialist and educational therapist  will help students master executive functioning skills.

This 168 page, digital download bundle offers quick and easy approaches/handouts to mastering executive functioning skills for students. The areas of focus are planning out assignments, discovering one’s best organizational approach, study strategies, memory strategies, test prep, breaking down long-term assignments, behavior modification materials, calendars, agendas, developing active learning, writing strategies, reading strategies, and math assistance and more.  

Teachers, therapists, and parents can teach students using this amazing resource to use schedules, individualized agendas, templates and more to help with executive function skills.  FIND OUT MORE.

Get your 6 FREE Executive Functioning Worksheets here.

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Picture-Based Checklists to Support Executive Functioning

Understanding Executive Functioning

Checklists are often used to help students who struggle with executive functioning, but research shows that pairing pictures with lists is critical to their effectiveness. Executive functioning is a key to students’ success in school and life and can be directly taught and supported with digital tools. Verbal and non-verbal working memory are arguably the most important domains of executive functioning. According to Dr. Russell Barkley , these areas are responsible for keeping you “on track, on time and in control”. This is important because, as Sara Ward , a Speech-language Pathologist points out, “90% of task planning happens in a different space from where you will execute the plan”. Much like a map, non-verbal working memory allows you to visualize the steps needed, as well as potential obstacles, for task planning.

Students then need to hold the plan to accomplish a task in their working memory. It’s helpful for teachers to understand that there are actually developmental norms for how long kids can plan into the future, known as “time horizons “. In typically developing children, these time horizons are:

• Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: Several Hours
• 3rd – 6th Grade: 8-12 Hours
• 6th – 12th Grade: 2 – 3 Days
• 17 – 23 Years: 2-3 Weeks

Keep in mind that students with ADHD or spectrum disorders are considered to have a 30% delay (3-3.5 years) in their ability to plan into the future. The good news is that we can directly teach and support executive functioning skills. Below are some of the digital tools and strategies that teachers can employ.

Picture-Based Checklists

Why are pictures important.

Since students with executive functioning challenges need to practice visualizing themselves through the steps of each task. Checklists that contain written steps are not likely to help. Instead, lists should feature a picture of the student having completed the task. Ideally, images should be of the student themselves in the location where the task should be completed. Picture-based lists help students to develop the skill of “thinking in pictures”.

Feature-Blocking Images for Emphasis

Feature-blocking images helps to highlight important aspects of task completion. This is most easily done in Google Slides as follows:

• Upload an image to Google Slides
• Use Shapes toolbar to overlay a shape onto important elements of the picture
• Change the fill color of the shape to Transparent
• If needed, change the outline color and line thickness
• Once your image is complete, click File –> Download as PNG or JPG to save the slide as an image file.

Google Keep Checklists

Google Keep is a perfect tool for the creation of checklists because it allows you to list each step and add images to lists. Keep Notes can be color-coded and tagged with keywords (labels) to help users to stay organized. To create a checklist and add an image or images:

• Navigate to Google Keep
• Create a new note by clicking the “+” at the bottom right corner
• Click the Image icon (#1 pictured below) to add one or multiple images
• Click the 3 dots to “Show Checkboxes” (#2 pictured below)

This short video shows you how to create checklists and include a feature-blocked image to support students in their development of executive functioning skills.

Google Keep Video Playlist

For more tips and ideas on how you can use Google Keep to stay organized, check out the playlist from GEG New England: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnsd4-Gb__qROt7vUTPDt6pHKHUEhrmlQ

GEG New England launches April 5th and is a free organization to support educational users of Google Workspace. To learn more, check out our website at: www.gegnewengland.com

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The Pathway 2 Success

Solutions for Social Emotional Learning & Executive Functioning

9 FREE Executive Functioning Activities

July 6, 2020 by pathway2success 1 Comment

Planning, organization, time management, and self-control. These are just a few of the extremely critical executive functioning skills that we use every day to accomplish tasks and be successful. We use them so regularly that we may forget their importance. But to kids and teens (and yes, even adults) who lack these skills, the struggle is real.

What are Executive Functioning Skills?

Executive functioning skills are the abilities in our brain that help us to accomplish daily tasks. They include skills like planning, organization, task initiation, time management, and attention. It’s helpful to think of them as life skills, as they are the foundations of what helps us be successful in completing tasks and reaching goals.

Read more here on each of the executive functioning skills and how they each play an important role in our lives.

Executive Functioning Activities

Executive functioning skills can be strengthened and built up over time. Here are a few free printable (and some digital) activities you can use to teach your learners about executive functioning skills and why they matter.

1. Executive Functioning Free Workbook

Use this free printable executive functioning workbook to teach and give some basic practice with some of the skills. This is a great lesson to start you off if you aren’t quite sure how to introduce executive functioning skills to your learners.

2. Executive Functioning Home Activities

Executive functioning skills are life skills! Use this free printable executive functioning poster with a list of ideas that kids and teens can practice at home. They include meaningful tasks like planning a meal together (planning), having a conversation (attention), and tidying up a room (organization).

3. Executive Functioning Skills Poster

Hang this executive functioning poster up to reminder adults and kids about each of the executive functioning skills. This can help you remind kids and teens about using them in the moment. Bonus: This poster doubles as a coloring page. Just use the black and white version to have kids color as you discuss many of these important skills.

4. Organize the Room Activity

Use this hands-on activity to teach organization . Just print out the pages, cut out the items, and add them in the room where they should go. This lesson opens up the conversation about staying organized, why it is important, cleaning up after yourself, and much more.

5. Study Skills Checklist

In order for kids to do well, they have to know what is expected of them. This free printable study skills checklist helps kids and teens read through several study skills that matter most, from keeping binders organized to taking notes. This can be a helpful starting point when discussing study skills for success.

6. Problem-Solving Task Cards

While these free problem-solving task cards focus on social situations, these are perfect practice for planning, flexibility, and self-control. Simply put, problem-solving situations force us to active executive functioning skills in our brains.

7. Motivation Workbook

Use this free motivation workbook to help young adults think about task initiation, developing goals, and accomplishing tasks. The activities go over understanding what motivation is and how to develop strategies for staying motivated, even when it comes to tasks you might not want to do.

8. Homework Folder

Setting up a homework folder is a critical step in getting kids and teens organized during the school day. Use this printable homework binder directions page and cover page to get started.

9. Executive Functioning Escape Room

This free executive functioning escape room activity is a puzzle challenge that allows kids and teens to practice attention and working memory at the same time. Kids and teens will love unlocking the challenge. It’s also a great way to see how escape room activities work for your learners.

10. Executive Functioning Self-Assessment

One more bonus activity is this executive functioning self-assessment, available for free for Pathway 2 Success members in the free resource library. Use it to help kids and teens assess themselves how their executive functioning skills from organization to self-control and everything in between. Grab it in the free resource library or learn here about how you can join .

More Information on Executive Functioning

If you’re looking for more information, resources, and free ideas, I have them here for you. Read up on more executive functioning skills with the blog posts below:

• Executive Functioning Skills Explained
• Games to Improve Executive Functioning Skills
• 15+ Executive Functioning Strategies Teachers Can Use
• 5 Daily Struggles for Kids with Executive Functioning Challenges
• Interventions for Attention Challenges
• Interventions for Organization Challenges
• Practicing EF skills with Play Activities
• Using Task Cards to Teach Executive Functioning

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January 26, 2022 at 3:44 am

I just love your resources, as do my students! Thanks for all you do! From Ireland xxx

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⭐ Kristina 💖 SEL & Executive Functioning 💻 Blogger at www.thepathway2success.com 👩‍🏫 Special Educator turned Curriculum Specialist Links here 👇

Executive Functioning Checklist Students Homework Planner ADHD Student Checklist

What educators are saying

Description.

This executive functioning checklist for students is designed to help your stay focused and organized while working through their homework independently. Perfect for as an ADHD student checklist as a homework planner.

It involves teacher and parent involvement to quickly check that the steps have been taken, but places full responsibility on the student, while guiding them on what they need to do in order to be successful.

Why was this Product Created?

Executive Functioning Skills are skills everyone uses to organize and respond to information in their day to day life. Some students have executive functioning skills issues, and may struggle with skills such as Self-Monitoring, Planning and Prioritizing, Task Initiation, and Organization. As teachers, it is our responsibility to try to meet these students’ needs and help them succeed as best we can.

Who Will Benefit?

I have created the Homework Planner for those students in our class who have difficulty completing homework because they forget to write assignments down and/or take home the materials needed in order to accomplish the task. This step-by-step planner will help those students build a routine, while allowing them to feel successful as they accomplish these daily task successfully.

How can I use this Resource?

Some options :

1. Copy five planners at a time, staple them, and have the student fill out one planner each day of the week.

2. Make one colored or black and white copy. Place it in a sheet protector and have the student write on the sheet protector with a thin dry erase marker each day.

What does this product include?

It includes a black and white version and a colored version.

The first page is used in class, by the student, to make sure all homework assignments have been copied and materials have been gathered.

The second page is used at home to make sure all homework is completed and gathered. It also contains suggests for brain breaks if the student is feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

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How to Choose an Executive Function Planner for Students

As the new academic year begins, back-to-school shopping is well underway, and, as you review your student’s school supply list, you’ll likely find one necessary school supply listed: a planner. This vital resource can keep students organized as they learn how to tackle what the new year brings. 

Although keeping up with assignments is crucial to academic success, it can feel like a daunting task that brings much stress for students who struggle with executive dysfunction. In fact, Stanford finds that 56% of students consider homework a primary source of stress.

To stay on top of organization and support executive functioning skills, our team recommends beginning with the right executive function planner , like the Effective Students™ Planner . Choosing the right planner can alleviate stressors and prevent struggles that students with ADHD may face when trying to build healthy academic habits. There are a few key features to look for when deciding on which planner works best for your student’s needs.

To create this guide for selecting the ideal executive function planner, we leveraged our experience with students who are building their executive function habits. Read on to learn about the importance of an executive function planner and how to find the right planner for your needs.

How Poor Executive Functioning Affects Students

Choosing the right planner can set the trajectory that supports a student’s executive functioning skills. With a quality planner in hand, students can feel empowered to take control of their agenda for the school year.

Executive function, as defined by Harvard University, is a learned set of skills that allow you to: 

• Plan for commitments, assignments, and goals 
• Use self-control and maintain focus despite distractions
• Follow multiple-step instructions, even when interrupted 

Executive function skills are often a part of self-regulation , which is a person’s ability to control their responses to situations, emotions, and more. For students, executive functioning skills differentiate between success and frustration as well as the willingness to persevere or procrastinate. 

When a student doesn’t have strong executive function skills, they may struggle with completing tasks and staying focused, even if they’re passionate about the subject area.

Procrastination can also be a symptom of executive function problems, as described in this article . For students, “it can be challenging to distinguish whether executive dysfunction or procrastination are present since they share a lot of overlap, thus they can be hard to untangle, particularly when they present so similarly in the classroom environment.”

Fortunately, executive functioning is a learnable skill set, albeit one that is not typically part of the school curriculum. With dedicated training and persistence, students can learn to prioritize, start, and complete tasks. An executive function planner is a physical tool to support the development and maintenance of executive functions.

Benefits of Executive Function Planners

Having a planner that outlines daily tasks and time sensitive appointments helps students see the big picture, so they can focus on prioritizing. By efficiently coding assignments and assessments in their planner, they can break everything down and have a better idea of how to manage their workload. 

Without this organizational system, school work and extracurricular activities can be anxiety-inducing, leaving students unsure of where to start—which can lead to dangerous procrastination. An executive function planner can alleviate this stress by giving students a clear path forward when it comes to managing their schedules and schoolwork.

Executive Function Planners and ADHD 

People with ADHD often experience symptoms of anxiety regarding their assignments and planning ahead. Healthline reports, “About two-thirds of people living with ADHD have at least one coexisting condition. Specifically, at least one-quarter of people living with ADHD are also living with a diagnosable anxiety disorder.”

By learning executive functioning skills, people with ADHD can potentially reduce their anxiety and better handle everyday stressors. Students with ADHD cannot solve executive functioning skills simply with a to-do list or a particularly robust planner, but a specially-designed academic planner provides a massive leg up.

Executive Function Planners for Students

Students often get paralyzed looking at everything they need to get done, so a planner can help them break down tasks into smaller, manageable parts. Students with poor executive function need extra guidance and structure in their planners, though, to ensure that they use the supply effectively.

An executive function planner can help students create routines and expectations around key executive function skills. By building in the step of evaluating their to-do list every day or the night before, students can begin to stay on track. A good executive function planner will include a clear forecasting model or structure upfront, so that students can easily reference it on their own, as often as they need to.

Once students understand how to use a planner and build it into their routine, they can build in planning sessions on a weekly basis so they practice forecasting. An appropriate planner will provide the platform for students to understand, interpret, and manage the visual workload in front of them.  

An academic planner built for executive functioning skills can be designed for daily and weekly use so that creating this routine is simple and easily followed. 

What to Look For in an Executive Function Planner 

Not all school planners are created equally. While most planners will have the same basic components, executive function planners are those specifically designed with the challenges of poor executive functioning in mind.

Keep an eye out for these key features in a good executive function planner, including: 

• Weekly View – The student should be able to see everything needed for the week and weeks to come while also having space to make daily to-do lists. These to-do lists apply to homework assignments, projects, and planning for how to study for an assessment.
• Academic Year – Make sure you select a planner that is made for students, aligning with the academic calendar rather than the calendar year. 
• Space For Extracurricular Activities – Students are more than just students, so their planner should reflect what they do as a whole person, including space for evening and weekend activities to be tracked. When they can plan for choir concerts, sports practices, games, and other extracurriculars, as well as homework, they’re more likely to continue using the planning system. 
• Portability – The planner should be easy to carry around and take on the go. If a student planner is too bulky or heavy, the student may be more likely to leave it behind, and keeping the planner on hand is key to effectively using it. 
• Monthly View – This view can be helpful for planning the overall events and most important tasks of a month, giving students a better understanding of what to expect in the upcoming weeks. Students may list big tests, project due dates, or sports games in the monthly planner view.

The best academic planner is one that will be regularly used. This means it’s helpful to look for a planner that resonates with your student. Whether that’s the structure, design, or even size of the planner, look for the features while finding one that is truly enjoyable to use, you can build positive habits.

Shop Our Popular Executive Function Planner

The Effective Students™ Planner is built specifically for students with ADHD and execution function challenges. Made for the 2023-2024 school year, the Effective Students™ Planner features a sample forecasting model, instructions on how to easily code the planner for simplicity, and study activities as well as visual prompts for consistent study techniques. This executive function planner also has dedicated fields for target number of entries per week, which helps students practice goal-setting and actively challenge themselves.

Many students report difficulty being consistent with a planner or even report not knowing how to use a planner effectively. The Effective Students™ Planner removes the guesswork for students, with clear steps outlined in the forecasting exercise. By design, our executive function planner helps students build confidence in developing reliable habits.

Shop the Effective Students™ Planner for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Find More Executive Functioning Resources for Student Success 

This executive function planner guide serves as a launching point for a successful academic school year, helping you to decide what tools you need to stay on track. Sometimes, though, you need more than a planner to help get you on the right track for your goals. 

Effective Students teaches students, parents, and educators how to better recognize executive functions, and then we help you improve them in painless lessons, often distilled into as few as 15 minutes per week. In addition to our other resources and services, we also offer Effective College Connection and Personalized ADHD Coaching for Students to help give students with ADHD the foundation for a brighter future. 

These programs enable students to learn executive functioning skills and teach some of the essential skills needed for significant transitions like college. If you’re ready to find the right option, contact our team to learn more.

Organizational skills training for children with ADHD is a key step to their development and independence. At Effective Students, we focus on helping students learn to organize and manage their time while learning how to prioritize and forecast when tasks should be done. 

When they start learning these skills surrounding academic management and emotional regulation, the right planner can be helpful. However, students need a planner that works well for them and needs to build habits around learning it. 

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