Executive functioning skills are the group of skills that help children to deal with routine work and to achieve certain goals.

 Every kid has his/her strengths, personality and unique approach to education. Some kids are born organized and they can remember their homework without much effort, but there are also some children who have problems with time-management, concentration, organizing of school work, remembering the tasks and other similar things. These problems do not always mean that a kid is not competent enough – sometimes it is only a matter of proper guidance and strategy. Here is where an executive functioning coach comes into play.

Executive functioning skills are the group of skills that help children to deal with routine work and to achieve certain goals. It includes planning, organization, time management, prioritization, remembering the information, impulse control, starting of the tasks and focusing on them. Kids employ these skills each day when they are doing their homework, preparing to the exam, packing their bag and dealing with different assignments simultaneously.

One of the reasons why parents may choose an executive functioning coach is the problem when kids know what to do but cannot start working on the task. For instance, a child may be able to comprehend the directions regarding his homework but may procrastinate doing so. The coach may help to divide the task into smaller tasks that the child will find easier to cope with and learn how to start.

Another problem is managing one's time properly. The child may misjudge how long the work on homework or revision will take and have to rush when the deadline is close. There are various simple tools that an executive functioning coach may teach the child to use, including schedule, checklists, calendar, timer, and other routines. Gradually, the child will be able to use these tools independently.

Organization is yet another element of successful education. It may happen that a child loses his papers, misses the deadline, has untidy school bag or does not complete the task. Instead of pointing out what the child should do, the coach will teach him to organize himself. One of the most notable advantages of coaching is that it is aimed at fostering independence. The point is not to have an adult person manage all activities and obligations of a child in an efficient way. Children can be taught techniques which will make it possible for them to get more responsibilities for completing their tasks.

The use of executive functioning coaching from Executive Function Coach Chicago may assist in teaching children to realize that making mistakes is part of the learning process. This means that instead of being depressed because of forgetting an assignment or having missed a deadline children should be able to identify the reason of the mistake and come up with a better strategy.

Parents can do a lot to make their kids ready for such changes in terms of fostering new habits. It is necessary to create a comfortable environment at home where small routines and certain expectations will promote development of new habits.

In general, one should remember that the role of an executive functioning coach is not limited to helping children complete their homework. The point is to teach children how to acquire life skills which will be helpful to them at school and outside it.