Back To School Executive Function Strategies for Home
The back-to-school season can be both exciting and overwhelming for families. New routines, assignments, sports schedules, and social activities all demand strong executive functioning skills — the mental processes that help us plan, organize, manage time, and stay on task.
For many children (especially those with ADHD, autism, or language-based learning differences), executive function skills don’t come naturally. The good news is that these skills can be taught and supported at home with simple strategies and tools.
At NRC Therapy Services in Monmouth County, NJ, we regularly coach families and students on ways to strengthen executive function for school success. Below are a few of our favorite back-to-school executive function strategies that you can try right away.
1. Use a Time Timer
A traditional clock can be hard for kids to interpret, but a Time Timer provides a clear visual of how much time is left for a task. The disappearing red disk helps children see time passing, making it easier to manage homework, morning routines, or screen time.
✅ Try This: Set the Time Timer for 20 minutes during homework. When the red disappears, it’s time for a short break.
2. Create a Time-Blocking Calendar
Time blocking means scheduling chunks of the day for specific tasks or activities. Instead of leaving the afternoon open-ended, a visual calendar helps kids know when it’s time for homework, sports, dinner, and downtime.
✅ Try This: Color-code the calendar (blue for homework, green for sports, yellow for free time). Hang it in a common space like the kitchen.
3. Post a Weekly Calendar
A weekly view helps children anticipate what’s coming up and reduces surprises that may lead to stress or meltdowns. A simple whiteboard with days of the week works well for this.
✅ Try This: At the start of each week, review upcoming assignments, practices, and family events together.
4. Teach the Get Ready – Do – Done Model
This strategy, created by executive function expert Sarah Ward, helps kids break down tasks into three steps:
Get Ready – Gather materials, plan the steps
Do – Complete the task
Done – Check it off, clean up, and review. Ask yourself the question: “What does “done” look like?
✅ Try This: Before homework, have your child place all needed supplies (pencil, paper, calculator) in the “Get Ready” space. Add an image of completed homework in the done section.
Why Executive Function Matters in Monmouth County Schools
Strong executive function skills are linked to better academic outcomes, independence, and reduced stress at home. In Monmouth County, students face busy schedules balancing school, sports, and community activities. By building these strategies into your home routine, you give your child the tools to stay organized, on time, and confident as they head back to school.
Executive Function Support in Monmouth County, NJ
At NRC Therapy Services, we specialize in helping children strengthen executive functioning, language, literacy, and overall school readiness. We work with families across Belmar, Wall, Manasquan, Spring Lake, and surrounding towns.
If you’d like support with back-to-school organization, or want to learn more about how executive function coaching can help your child, contact NRC Therapy Services today. Together, we can set your child up for success this school year and beyond.