Making the Move to Middle School? How to Improve Executive Functioning Skills

Executive functioning isn’t something that just crops up during adolescence. Our kids have been working on their executive functioning skills since they were babies.

“Executive functioning is a set of skills that allow kids to organize and complete tasks in a timely manner,” says school psychologist Kevin Kemelhar. These skills include initiating tasks, maintaining steam while completing them, and reaching goals. A big part of this process involves “inhibition,” where kids learn to mute their impulses to do something else (like Snapchatting their friends) while they complete the task at hand.

Why Do Middle Schoolers Struggle with Executive Functioning?

Middle school is already a time of transition for kids (can anyone say puberty?!). On top of that, the way middle school is structured requires different skillsets.

Unlike in elementary school, they’re not going to be housed in one classroom with one teacher who constantly reviews when assignments are due. Additionally, this may be the first time they encounter longer-term assignments.

What Parents Can Do to Help Improve Executive Function

Most middle schoolers struggle as they transition to middle school—that’s normal. But there are some concrete things parents can do to help.

1. Make A Schedule

Your child’s in-school schedule will be set. But they need a schedule at home, too. Pick a set time each day for homework, ideally before dinner. Make sure to factor in extracurricular activities.

2. Get Them Organized

Once you get your child’s school schedule, sit down together and make a plan. Label folders for each class. Maybe use a color-coded system for folders and binders, if they are using both for certain classes. Introduce a planner so they can keep track of when assignments are due.

3. Give Them Options

Be hands-on, but give your child options. This teaches autonomy and creates buy-in. For example, some kids do best with old-fashioned paper planners, and others find a digital planner more palatable.

4. Don’t Worry About Hovering…Yet

Sixth grade, especially the first quarter, is a time to sit down with your child every night to make sure they are on top of things. As middle school progresses, and you see improvement in handling deadlines and organization, you can begin to step back. Ideally, by seventh or eighth grade, check-ins should be weekly, rather than daily.

When to Seek Outside Help

Learning executive functioning skills is a normal part of the middle school journey, albeit a bumpy one. For most kids, a little parental handholding is sufficient. But some kids will need a little more than that.

How do you know if your child is one of those kids? “The red flag is when you and your spouse start to argue over your kid’s homework,” Kemelhar says. All jokes aside, once you’ve reached a breaking point with your child, it’s definitely time to reach out for extra help.

The first person to contact is your child’s teacher. If they think the issue with your child goes beyond something they can solve, they will collaborate with other school staff to come up with a plan for your child to succeed.

Excerpted from “Making the Move to Middle School? How to Improve Executive Functioning Skills” in Your Teen magazine. Read the full article online.

Source: Your Teen | Making the Move to Middle School? How to Improve Executive Functioning Skills, https://yourteenmag.com/teenager-school/teenager-middle-school/improve-executive-functioning | © Your Teen Magazine

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