3 Executive Functioning Skills Every Parent Should Know

written by Dr. Liz Nissim, posted on Psychology Today

Every new school year brings hope—a fresh start and a chance for growth. We, as parents, cross our fingers that the summer helped our kids mature and sharpen their skills.

Yet, executive functioning—the planning, organizing, and time-management skills they need—doesn’t just magically appear. These skills are learned, not innate. And with each new grade, the demands on our kids increase, from managing multiple assignments and staying organized to simply keeping track of their stuff.

Does this scenario sound familiar? Your child spends hours “doing” homework, but when you check in, there’s not much to show for it. What’s happening? Well, I decided to go straight to the source—kids themselves.

Their answers were eye-opening. Many confessed they’d start working, but then a text pinged, or they remembered something cool they wanted to look up. Before they knew it, time had flown by, and little progress had been made. When parents check in at this point, kids either scramble to look busy or snap back in frustration—because they’re fully aware they’ve been stuck for a while. The cycle of procrastination and frustration keeps repeating.

Here’s the thing: Executive functioning skills aren’t taught in a specific class, even though they’re essential for success. As a parent, you can still support your child’s development in these areas. The good news? You don’t have to be a therapist or teacher to help them. Below are three simple strategies you can use at home to help build these skills, all while actually getting homework done!