How executive functioning challenges can make school hard!

Does your child struggle with organisation, focus, or following instructions? Do simple tasks like getting ready for school or doing homework lead to frustration? You're not alone!

Executive functioning skills are the skills we need to achieve long term goals or face challenges. They include skills in planning, organising, remembering instructions, managing time, getting started on tasks, staying focused, resisting the urge to act on impulse, being adaptable and regulating emotions. When these skills don’t come naturally, school can feel overwhelming, like trying to juggle too much at once.

For many kids, these struggles become more obvious when they move to secondary school and are expected to be much more independent. So how can you help?

• Break tasks into smaller steps
• Give clear, short instructions.
• Use visuals & checklists.
• Get them to practice estimating how long tasks take. 
• Teach problem-solving skills
• Support emotional regulation. 
• Instead of doing everything for them, coach them to develop these skills over time.

Your child isn’t lazy—their brain just works differently. With patience and support, they can build confidence and succeed in school.