As described in my last blog Executive Functioning: What it is and Why it Matters, executive function is the brain’s management system.
Since executive functioning is critical for success at home, school, and work, I hope these TEN strategies will help parents and educators teach students skills essential for academic success, such as: organization, note-taking, studying, goal setting, and overcoming procrastination and anxiety.
ONE: Create and Use an Organizational Strategy
All students benefit from being organized and keeping some sort of a planner. While students with strong executive functioning skills may do well with an electronic calendar, writing tasks down on paper helps students better remember. Ultimately, it is important to use the format that works best.
Click the link learn how you can help your student Create a System Using a Monthly or Daily Calendar
TWO: Create and Stick with a Homework Routine
Having a homework routine in place helps students feel a sense of control over their school work as they learn to better manage their time, prioritize, and focus on one task at a time.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student create Homework Routine and why it helps
THREE: Have and Use a Homework Organization Checklist
While some students seemingly get their homework completed in the absence of a deliberately thought- out plan, others benefit from having a designated, organized, and distraction-free space.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student create Homework Organization Checklist
FOUR: Teach a Strategy to Overcome Procrastination
Since 75% of students are self-reported procrastinators, having and using a strategy to overcome procrastination helps students feel more confident in their abilities to just get started. Understanding what the Zeigarnik Effect is and the role it plays will help you help your student start and finish tasks.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student learn to Overcome Procrastination and why it helps.
FIVE: Create Plans for Long-Term Projects
Everyone benefits from having a concrete plan to tackle long-term projects, essays, etc. Students with weaker working memory, attention, and organizational skills need a plan to ensure that long-term projects are completed in a timely and quality manner, especially when multiple steps are involved.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student create Project Plan and why it helps.
SIX: Teach Students How and Why to Set Goals
Setting proximal and attainable goals help students progress in school. Furthermore, in achieving small, attainable goals, students are empowered to set and achieve future goals. Teaching students to set goals helps them become masters of their own learning.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student learn to Set Specific, Achievable Goals and why it helps.
SEVEN: Teach a Structured Note Taking Strategy
Notes taken in an organized and legible manner help students remember what they learn and makes studying more efficient and productive.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student learn Formalized Note Taking and why it helps.
EIGHT: Prioritize Details when Taking Notes
Many students intuitively understand that highlighting important details can help them learn. However, understanding what and when to highlight is not an easy endeavor. Understanding how to prioritize important information will help students create useful notes, not just pretty ones.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student learn to Highlight to Help Prioritize Key Details and why it helps.
NINE: Make a Plan to Study for Tests
We all know that cramming is not typically the best strategy for preparing for tests, and yet, it seems like a popular one! Helping students understand the important role long-term memory plays in recalling information and making connections may encourage them to space out their review/studying to prepare for tests.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student learn to use Spaced Practice and why it helps.
TEN: Work to Overcome Test Anxiety
Many of my student/clients struggle with test anxiety. Anxiety not only impedes a student’s ability to demonstrate what they know on tests, but it also takes a toll on self-esteem and academic self-image.
Click the link to learn how you can help your student learn to Throw Away Test Anxiety and why it helps.
While teaching executive functioning skills is not easy and it takes time to develop new skills, putting in the effort before students head off to college or join the workforce will help smooth the transition and promote success.
For more information on teaching students executive function skills or on how to determine if executive function deficits exist, please contact me at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com
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