Executive Function Coaching
Our specialized executive function coaches teach academic and practical skills that foster success in the classroom and beyond. From time management to organization, your child will gain skills they’ll carry for life.
What is Executive Function?
Executive function refers to the skills you use to manage the tasks of daily life. These skills include staying organized, planning and prioritizing, focusing and following directions, starting and finishing tasks, managing your time, and regulating your emotions and impulses in order to do all of the above.
For some of us, these skills come naturally. For others, they take time and practice to develop. If your child struggles to get out the door on time, forgets to turn in assignments, has a hard time keeping track of their belongings, or is generally a bit disorganized, they could likely benefit from EF support. Many students who have learning differences such as ADHD also need help finding specific EF strategies that work for them. Soon-to-be or recent high school grads often need help in this area as well as they adjust to living on their own. Whatever strengths or challenges your child holds, our EF coaches can help bring out their best.
Why Work With an EF Coach?
Whether your child is struggling in school or a straight-A student, executive functioning support can help them thrive.
EF Skills Matter
Executive functioning skills help us stay organized and on task. From time management to prioritization, they’re essential for academic success, helping students complete assignments on time, pay attention in class, and study for tests. They’re also critical for managing the tasks of daily life, such as getting to work on time.
students Excel with 1:1 Support
Students benefit from a nuanced approach to learning these crucial skills. Your child may need to unlearn habits they’ve formed over many years of schooling. They may also hold negative beliefs about their potential. Despite best intentions, suggestions and tips from well-meaning parents and teachers don’t often lead to lasting habit change.
EF Coaching Works
Students who receive 1:1 coaching from a trusted mentor are better equipped to internalize these skills. Your EF coach will take the time to understand your child deeply and tailor their approach accordingly. In turn, your student will become more confident and capable in academic settings and wherever life’s journey takes them.
Our Approach
Executive functioning coaching looks different for each student, but a few core components are always in place.
Individualization
After an in-depth intake call with our team, we’ll select the coach who we believe will be the best fit for your child. In one-on-one sessions, the EF coach will customize their lessons and adapt their strategies to meet your student’s individual needs.
Hands-on tools
We’ll send your child a selection of physical materials such as planners, visual timers, and carefully chosen texts to serve as a base for learning and habit change.
Accountability
Your EF coach will gently hold your child accountable as they work towards greater independence. Sessions are designed to be engaging and confidence-boosting to help your child cultivate their intrinsic motivation and a sense of empowerment.
Consistency
Executive functioning skills take time to develop and look a bit different for every individual. With consistent practice and sufficient time to try different techniques, we’ll help your child find the strategies that work for them.
EF Coaching in Practice
Wondering what your child will actually DO with their executive functioning coach? Read on.
What to Expect from EF Coaching
Executive functioning coaching looks different for each student. Your child’s EF coach will collaborate with your family to understand your child’s strengths, and areas for growth. They will then develop a customized coaching plan that’s grounded in their day-to-day schoolwork while working toward long-term goals. We also encourage our coaches to connect with your child’s broader network of support professionals as relevant, such as teachers, educational therapists, or college counselors.
A Typical Coaching Plan
A typical coaching plan will balance your child’s short- and long-term priorities and goals.
Examples of short-term focus areas: completing homework assignments and projects, studying for tests, juggling schoolwork with other responsibilities and extracurriculars, or working on the college application process.
Examples of long-term focus areas: creating systems for staying organized, learning strategies for timeliness, and developing greater self-awareness about one’s own habits and tendencies.
Sessions provide a mix of targeted EF strategy development (e.g. trying out a new time management technique) and applied practice, (e.g. using that strategy to complete a class assignment). Specific focus areas will shift over time based on the student’s progress.
Core EF Skills & Strategies
Below is a sampling of specific executive functioning skills and strategies that your EF coach may work on with your child, ranging from basic study habits to higher-level inquiries into self-knowledge and expression. Note: this is a broad overview. Most students will take a more focused approach based on their own strengths and challenges.
Organization: Students will learn to organize their physical & digital spaces.
Time Management: Students will learn strategies for completing tasks on time.
Planning & Prioritizing: Students will learn to combat procrastination and see tasks through to completion.
Study Skills: Students will apply executive functioning skills to key academic competencies including: taking notes, studying for exams, tackling reading and writing assignments, and completing projects with ease.
Social-Emotional Learning: Students will get to know their own strengths and identify areas for continued growth. They’ll practice self-monitoring and learn about impulse control (i.e. how to resist the lure of the smartphone when you have math homework to complete).
Digging Deeper: Students will learn how to improve their focus and concentration, tackle test anxiety, and set and achieve goals.
Brain Building: Students will practice flexible and creative thinking, strengthen their working memory, and cultivate resilience.
Thinking Big: Students will build leadership skills, harnessing effective communication and self-advocacy. They may discover their guiding principles, values, morals, ethics, and beliefs. Along the way, they’ll develop a holistic perspective on becoming the best learner and person they can be.
Ready to Learn More?
Fill out our consultation request form and a member of our leadership team will get back to you shortly to reserve an EF coach for your child.