TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD WITH
EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS
CHECKLIST FOR SUPPORTING:
TASK INITIATION
Make sure your child knows how to do the task, as opposed to
it being an issue with task initiation
Provide a consistent homework routine, including a time the
work needs to be completed by and a space that the work is completed in (i.e. a
specific room, a specific table, etc.)
Assist your child in breaking down longer, more complex
tasks into smaller, more manageable parts. Have your child check-in with you after each part is completed
Allow choice in what tasks will be done when
Reflect with your child on what strategies/skills worked or
did not work for completing a task
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
Assist your child with using their agenda/planner to record
all assignments. (These can be checked on the teacher websites with your
student)
Have your student predict how long assignments will take and
then follow up with discussion about how long it actually took and why
Work with your student to prioritize their assignments by
doing their most difficult subject first
Use a calendar to help your student plan out long-term
assignments, breaking it down into smaller segments with interim check-ins to
ensure they are being completed
Have your student, organize and pack their backpack upon completing
their homework in the evening so there is no scramble in the mornings to find
or remember things
CHECKLIST FOR SUPPORTING: TASK COMPLETION
Have consistent expectations about when, where and how
homework is to be done
Work with your child on making a plan for completion of the
evening’s assignments. It should include the order and time for each assignment
Your child may need breaks and these should be part of the
schedule/plan discussed at the start of the homework time
Create a chart or reading log to track/monitor reading time
to ensure it is not the “forgotten “ homework list
When your child has to read a complete book, assist them
into breaking it into smaller segments and create a schedule such as “one
chapter per night or so many pages per night”
Long- term assignments should be broken into smaller tasks
and put on the calendar so that both you and your child remember and ensure
they are completed.
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR
STUDENT’S ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
Model these skills by teaching your child “ EVERYTHING HAS A
HOME.”
Help your child to use their backpack effectively, including
cleaning it out on a regular basis by putting items where they belong
MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS BRINGING HOME THEIR AGENDA BOOK/PLANNER
EACH NIGHT. Review what they have
recorded and if they have not recorded, look to the teacher websites and show
them how to record their assignments
Help your child set up a system for filing their papers. DO NOT DO IT FOR THEM, DO IT WITH THEM
TO TEACH THE SKILL
Some children use a two-pocket folder for homework – one
pocket TO DO, and the other DONE
TO HAND IN. Other children effectively
use an accordion folder with one pocket for each of their subjects. Others benefit from color- coding their
materials for each subject, notebooks, folders, etc.
****Many students benefit from after school time with
subject area teachers to work on the organization of their classroom materials.
Encourage your child to do this if
you are unsure of what should be kept and how it should be organized
The following was created by Mrs. Holmes, a member of the Student Services Team at WMS.
