Every parent wants their child to grow up happy, successful, and independent. Nearly 90% of parents say it's important that their child thrives in a job they love and gains financial independence.
But what’s often less clear is how parents can actively support their child's journey toward those goals—and the role they play in making success possible.
If you’re like the parents I work with, eager for practical ways to support your child’s success at home, you’re in the right place.
By the end of this post, you'll have three strategies you can start using today to help your child develop executive function skills and reach their potential.
Understanding Executive Functioning
Executive functioning (EF) acts as the brain's command center, managing essential cognitive skills needed for everything from getting ready in the morning to making complex decisions.
While genetics provide the biological framework for EF, childhood experiences—shaped by their environment—play a huge role in how strong this cognitive foundation becomes.
Parents, in particular, have a unique role in supporting this development.
As Dawson and Guare explain in Smart but Scattered Teens, parenting is a process of providing EF skills support and coaching.
The good news? You don't need to add more tasks to your already busy schedule to support your child's cognitive development.
Let's explore how.
3 Practical Strategies for Parents (& Other Invested Parties)
Research shows that children who practice EF skills learn self-management and independence. This practice also lays the foundation for later developing EF skills and learning of all kinds.
A wealth of information exists about ways to support executive function development in children.
Let’s focus on three strategies influenced by experts across multiple fields—offering a practical starting point for parents and caregivers eager to help their children grow.
Strategy # 1 | Build In Structure
“Structure” might sound restrictive, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s development. Organizing the environment and setting boundaries are among the most effective ways to support emerging self-regulation.
This could mean setting up age-appropriate chores, creating boundaries around screen time, or establishing routines for after school and bedtime.
Why it works:
Predictability: Clear plans set the stage, reducing the mental effort your child needs to figure out what to do. That way, they can focus their energy on getting the task done.
Skill Practice: The structure creates opportunities to practice foundational executive function skills like attention & inhibitory control.
Framework for guidance: Structured plans provide a reference point for you to guide them through the task.
Strategy # 2 | Provide Guidance
Plans lay the groundwork by spelling out what needs to be done.
But sometimes, your child may need extra guidance, especially when tasks are new or challenging.
Think of yourself as your child’s brain “programmer.” The directions and demonstrations you provide act as the code their brain will eventually use to manage tasks on its own.
You can guide by:
Talking through each step of the plan before they start.
Asking them if they are following the plan.
Reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and what to adjust next time.
With time and patience, your child will internalize these cues (i.e., their inner voice) and learn to regulate their behavior independently.
Strategy # 3 | Reinforce with Positive Feedback
This last strategy builds on the second, but it's vital enough to stand on its own.
Once you've set a plan and provided guidance, the final step is reinforcing positive behaviors through feedback.
“Praise is one of the most underappreciated and underused tools for promoting behavior change that parents have at their disposal.” -Dawson & Guare
How to give effective feedback:
Timeliness: Deliver praise right after observing the behavior to reinforce its connection to the desired outcome.
Specificity: Highlight the specific behavior you're praising.
Value: Emphasize why the behavior matters and how it impacts them.
Acknowledgment: Acknowledge effort, not just the outcome.
Everyday Moments as Opportunities
You don’t need to carve out extra time for EF development—your daily routine already offers abundant opportunities.
By weaving structure, guidance, and positive reinforcement into your daily routines, you can help your child practice essential skills—and your day-to-day might run more smoothly too.
Consider applying these strategies to:
Morning routines
Playtime/free time
Mealtime routines
Cleanup time/chores
Bedtime routine
If you're looking to add extracurricular activities that support EF development, try:
Games: Puzzles, memory games, and board games strengthen EF skills like attention, inhibition, and working memory.
Cooking: Explore cooking together as a family or attend a cooking class to practice planning and sequencing tasks.
I believe you'll find these three strategies well worth the effort. Remember, it's about progress, not perfection—for both you and your child. Trust the process! 😉
If you liked this post, and want more insights like these ...
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Sources:
Dawson, P., & Guare, R. (2012). Smart but scattered teens. Guilford Publications.
Tera Sumpter, SLP
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