- Why Executive Function Skills Matter
- Troubleshooting: What If It’s Not Working?
- Recap: A Roadmap for Teaching Executive Function Skills
- How Do You Teach Executive Function at Home?
If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to support your child’s focus, time management, or impulse control, you’re not alone. Learning how to teach executive function skills can be a game-changer—not only for students but for the adults guiding them.
In this blog, we’ll walk through a step-by-step system shared by Presh, an experienced Executive Function Tutor, who reveals a reflection and tracking system that encourages motivation, builds independence, and helps kids develop better habits over time.
Why Executive Function Skills Matter
“If your child struggles with impulse control, completing classwork, and or managing their screen time, then you are not alone.”
Executive function skills—like planning, self-monitoring, and emotional regulation—are critical for academic and life success.
Instead of nagging or punishing, the solution lies in coaching kids through habit-building, using a supportive system rooted in self-reflection and gradual improvement.
Step 1: Identify the Behavior You Want to Change
The first part of teaching executive function skills is clarity. “Whatever it is, make sure that that behavioral challenge is clear to you and clear to your child.” Maybe it’s screen time resistance, blurting out in class, or avoiding homework.
This clarity sets the foundation for the next steps—and helps your child understand exactly what’s expected.
Step 2: Create a Scoring System Together
Once the target behavior is clear, co-create a simple scoring system. A 1–10 scale works well. If the challenge is giving up an iPad when asked, a 10 could mean instant cooperation.
“They should have buy-in on what a score of one, a score of five or a score of 10 looks like.”
Involving your child in defining success increases their ownership and motivation.
Step 3: Set a Routine for Check-Ins
The key to building executive function skills is consistency. Choose a regular time like Friday dinners or every other school day pickup to reflect with your child.
You can ask them questions like:
- What score would you give yourself?
- What worked well?
- What could be better?
This reflective practice promotes self-regulation and opens space for honest conversations.
“Celebrate their wins and fine-tune challenges.”
Step 4: Phase Out When You See Results
Once your child is consistently scoring themselves high (8s, 9s, 10s), it’s time to step back. “You’re recognizing their growth, you’re finding ways to celebrate them… you’re making it clear that we’re not gonna have the same routine because I’ve seen growth.”
This shift supports the ultimate goal of executive function coaching: independence.
Troubleshooting: What If It’s Not Working?
Let’s address common concerns when learning how to teach executive function skills:
What if my child resists the system?
Try gamification. “If you’re able to get a score of 10 three days in a row, we’ll get your favorite ice cream.” Or co-design the tracker to give them ownership. Negotiation can work too by committing to one month and reassessing.
What if they self-report inaccurately?
Use evidence and revisit the score definitions together. “Write down with them what a score of five or a score of 10 looks like… put it on a wall or refrigerator.”
What if there’s no progress?
Ask yourself:
- Is your child bought in?
- Are the check-ins consistent?
- Are you celebrating small wins?
Sometimes progress just takes more time. And when needed, an executive function tutor can provide the structured third-party support that many students respond to better than parental oversight.
If your child is feeling stuck, try these executive function hacks to break the cycle.
Recap: A Roadmap for Teaching Executive Function Skills
The four-step system offers a hands-on way to coach kids without micromanaging or constant reminders:
- Identify a behavior
- Create a scoring system
- Check in consistently
- Phase out with success
“Coaching your child to improve on challenging behaviors is difficult, but letting them go unaddressed… is even more difficult.”
Long-term habits are built slowly, but with intention and collaboration, they’re absolutely possible.
How Do You Teach Executive Function at Home?
Have you tried any strategies for building executive function skills with your child or students? What worked—and what didn’t? Let us know in the comments!
