Back to school is here! You bought the supplies, you labeled the folders, you sharpened all of the pencils in the pack, and you’ve perfected the morning routine. You’re ready, your child is ready… right?
Then comes the first week of school. Where’s my homework? I forgot my water bottle! Where are my shoes? The project is due tomorrow!
Does this sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone!
The start of a new school year can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. New teachers, new schedules, new classes, and above all, new expectations. Suddenly, your child is expected to remember it all, keep track of everything, and stay completely organized. PHEW! That’s A LOT for a developing brain!
Keeping up with all of these demands can be especially difficult because they are still developing the executive functioning skills needed to manage them. Executive functioning is a group of mental skills that help us plan, organize, prioritize, remember information, manage our time, control impulses, regulate emotions, and follow through on tasks. These skills act like the brain’s “management system” and help us figure out what needs to be done, when it should be done, and how to get it done.
The beginning of the school year is a great time to take a fresh look at these skills and help your child build systems that will work for them.
Here are 8 signs your child may benefit from Executive Functioning Coaching:
- They frequently forget homework or important school materials.
- Their backpack, desk, locker, or workspace is constantly disorganized.
- They have trouble getting started on assignments.
- They struggle to manage their time.
- They have difficulty breaking larger tasks into smaller steps.
- They have trouble staying focused and completing tasks.
- They struggle with transitions and changes in routine.
- They become frustrated or overwhelmed when things don’t go as planned.
At Sensory Stepping Stones, we offer group classes and individual coaching designed to help middle and high school students strengthen executive functioning, academic, and organizational skills. While we can’t promise they will be perfectly organized with color-coded folders, alphabetized pencils, and a planner for their planner, we can help them develop skills they can use independently and confidently throughout the school year and beyond.
Ready to make this school year a success? Want to know more about how we can help your child get organized and start the school year strong? Sign up for your Free Consultation today! Check out our website or give us a call today to learn more about how we can help.
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Melanie has been part of the Staff at Sensory Stepping Stones for over a year bringing her dedication and compassion to each family she works with. She currently holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology from Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry and is pursuing her second master’s in mental health counseling at Mercy University and is expected to graduate in Spring of 2027.
