EF: In-Depth
We focus on four different categories of skills in executive functioning tutoring. We’ll create a customized plan that pulls together different combinations of these skills, addressing the areas where your child needs the most help.
1. Physical Organization
The most basic domain of executive functioning involves setting up an organizational system to help students manage their notebooks, assignments, and handouts for school. A student needing help in this area:
- Has papers overflowing from backpacks
- Doesn’t turn in his or her completed homework
- Doesn’t use an assignment book consistently
- Doesn’t have a folder for each class
- Forgets to bring papers home from school
2. Distraction and Time Management
In this domain, we teach students how to work productively, stay focused, and manage their time effectively. A student needing help in this area:
- Rushes to complete projects last minute
- Gets easily distracted during homework
- Doesn’t have a homework routine every night
- Works for hours without finishing their homework
- Does homework in a distracting place
3. Study Skills
This domain focuses on teaching students effective study habits such as note taking, annotation, and how to prepare for tests. A student needing help in this area:
- Doesn’t create study guides
- Makes time for homework, but not for studying
- Doesn’t take notes on school reading assignments
- Studies ineffectively for tests and quizzes
- Performs lower on quizzes and tests than on homework
4. Working Smarter, Not Harder
If a student has all of the basics mastered, we help him or her study smarter, not harder. This domain focuses on advanced time management and study techniques. A student needing help in this area:
- Spends more time studying than his or her peers
- Loses sleep to studying
- Takes too many notes
- Has a very busy extra-curricular schedule
- Underperforms in one or two tough classes
- Faces anxiety related to school performance
- Doesn’t advocate for him or herself at school