Every parent has had a moment like this: the backpack that never gets unpacked, the homework that gets “finished” but never turns in, the meltdown over a task that seemed simple five minutes ago. Is this just kid stuff — a phase, a personality quirk — or is it something more?
The truth is, most kids struggle with executive functioning at some point. But for some, those struggles start to shape how they feel about themselves, especially as the demands of school ramp back up.
What Is Executive Functioning, Really?
Executive functioning is the set of mental skills that helps kids (and adults) plan, organize, manage time, regulate emotions, and follow through on tasks. Think of it as the brain’s project management system. When it’s working well, a child can move from “I have a book report due Friday” to actually finishing the book report — without a week of tears, lost pages, and last-minute panic.
When executive functioning skills are still developing or lagging behind, that same book report can turn into a source of daily conflict at home.
Is This Normal Kid Disorganization, or Something More?
A few questions worth sitting with:
- Does your child consistently lose track of assignments, materials, or instructions — even ones they were just given?
- Do everyday transitions (getting ready, switching activities, wrapping up screen time) turn into full-blown battles?
- Does your child know what they’re supposed to do, but genuinely can’t seem to start or finish it?
- Are you doing more of the organizing, reminding, and managing than feels sustainable — for both of you?
If a lot of this sounds familiar, it doesn’t mean something is “wrong.” It means your child might benefit from direct, structured support in building these skills — the same way a kid who struggles with reading benefits from extra reading support.
Why Skills, Not Just Willpower
One of the most common misconceptions about executive functioning challenges is that they’re a matter of trying harder. In reality, these are learnable skills. Kids can be taught how to break down tasks, manage time, and self-monitor — but it takes practice, repetition, and the right kind of support to build habits that stick.
A Last Summer Hoorah Before Back-to-School
This is exactly why we run Focus Lab, our executive functioning skills group for kids in grades 2–5, facilitated by Abirami Suthan, MS and Connor O’Keefe, MA.
Our final summer session runs August 10th–14th, and it’s a great opportunity to help your child head into the new school year with tools already in place — rather than trying to build those skills for the first time in the middle of a stressful September.
Think of it as a tune-up: a focused week to practice planning, organizing, and following through, in a supportive group setting with peers working on the same skills.
Ready to Give Your Child a Head Start This Fall?
Spots are limited for our August 10th–14th session. Visit our Skill Builder Workshops page to learn more or reach out to our intake team to get started.