Executive Functioning Homework Interventions
Challenges with planning, organization, shifting, and motivation can impact homework.
Planning | Organization | Shifting/Transitions | Motivation
Planning | |
Create a comprehensive schedule for the week/month/semester (include study time and extracurricular activities) |
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Practice sequencing by asking child to explain how to do a task (e.g. how to make a sandwich) | |
Determine a step-by-step plan of action | |
Engage in activities to practice sequencing | Examples:
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Play Games that require planning | Mazes Unblock Me app Flowfree app Snap Circuits Electronics kit |
Create a photo sequence of what a task should look like from start to finish | |
Organization | |
Apps to assist with organization for homework and studying | My Homework app Trello SimpleMind |
Provide organizational system that is simple and allows easy visual access | Organize Homework |
Section tasks into specific details to make them more manageable (e.g. instead of clean your room, try pick up your shoes, put away clean laundry, etc.) | |
Create an electronic to do list with reminder alerts | |
Create a picture checklist of tasks to accomplish for each segment of the day | |
Shifting / Transitions | |
Take a break when stuck | |
Introduce a transition activity to assist with changing from a much enjoyed play activity to a work activity | Example: do a small puzzle, mazes, dot-to dot, or color a picture at the table, then introduce the work activity |
Designate a set time or end point to work on each item to help transition more easily from one item to the next | |
Motivation | |
Schedule weekly meeting with teacher to gain confidence in talking with an adult and asking questions | |
Encourage to set goals, identify specifics to attain a goal, and a way to check-in with someone weekly regarding progress toward the goal | |
Link to something of value | |
Encourage child to try a task 3 times | |
Remain in close proximity and engage in tasks together | |
Assign a mentor for helping with homework completion | |
Designate target points to accomplish throughout tasks | |
Help get started on tasks by obtaining child's input for a plan of action | Choiceworks Schedule Board for task completion app |
Set phone alarm for a specific time to begin and go to a designated place that is removed from other distractions | |
Use reward apps to help with motivation for doing tasks | ChorePad app |
Access resources to determine ways to motivate | Learning and Study Strategies Inventory for High School (LASSI-HS) |