Parent Learning and Support
Executive Functioning
Resources to help you understand what sits behind planning, organising and follow-through difficulties, and support your child with clarity and confidence.
What it is and why it matters
What it is
Executive functioning is the set of mental skills that helps a child plan ahead, get organised, hold information in mind, manage their attention, and respond to their feelings in a measured way. These skills develop gradually through childhood and sit underneath everyday tasks such as getting ready in the morning, following multi-step instructions, and completing schoolwork.
Why it matters
When these skills are still developing, a child may forget steps, lose focus partway through a task, or find it hard to start or finish things, even when they understand what is expected of them. This can look like disorganisation, forgetfulness or frustration. Understanding what is happening underneath can change how this is supported.
How these resources help
Rather than more reminders or reward charts, the resources on this page will help you understand what may be making planning, organisation and follow-through harder for your child right now. With that understanding, support at home can be more structured and better matched to what your child needs.
Coming soon
We are developing resources to help parents understand and support executive functioning at home.
Thinking Foundations
Thinking Foundations will be a structured program to help parents understand and support their child's planning, organisation, attention and follow-through. It is in development and will be added here when it is ready.
Looking for more personalised support?
If you would like individualised assessment and guidance for your child, Skill Sense® OT also offers telehealth occupational therapy services. An assessment is the starting point for tailored, one to one support.
Learn about OT servicesEvery child deserves to be understood.
Every parent deserves the tools to help.
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