Navigating the complexities of raising gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent children is both rewarding and challenging. As homeschooling parents, you might often wonder why your child can tackle difficult subjects effortlessly yet struggle with day-to-day activities. The answer often lies in executive function skills.

What Are Executive Function Skills?

Think of executive function skills as the brain’s CEO. These crucial cognitive processes help with planning, organization, time management, task initiation, working memory, and self-regulation. They enable us to carry out daily tasks and manage our lives efficiently. For many gifted and neurodivergent children, these skills do not develop evenly alongside their intellectual gifts.

Why Do Gifted Kids Struggle with Executive Function?

Gifted and neurodivergent children often exhibit asynchronous development. This means that while they might excel in areas like mathematics or writing, they might struggle with simple tasks such as tying their shoes or remembering instructions. For instance, a child might be able to discuss complex scientific topics yet forget where they placed their shoes. This uneven development can lead to significant frustration for both the child and the parents.

The Influence of Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence such as ADHD, autism, or dyslexia further complicates the landscape of executive function. Children with ADHD might hyperfocus on one interest while ignoring basic tasks. Autism can affect flexibility and emotional regulation, while dyslexia impacts processing and organizing thoughts. These challenges vary based on each child’s unique combination of abilities and needs.

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Strategies for Teaching Executive Function Skills

As homeschooling parents, you have the unique opportunity to tailor your approach to your child’s specific needs. Here are some practical strategies:

Make It Visible

• Visual Schedules: Use laminated schedules with erasable markers to allow children to track daily activities. This approach provides consistency and a clear visual understanding of the day’s expectations.
• Color-Coded Calendars: Utilize multiple calendars in different locations, color-coded for each child or type of activity. This helps children and parents quickly identify what’s on the agenda.

Teach Time Awareness

• Timers and Clocks: Use visual timers for younger children and digital ones for older kids. Teach them to estimate the time needed for tasks and compare it with the actual time taken.
• Routine Consistency: Establish predictable routines that incorporate time management. Children learn to gauge time based on daily patterns.

Encourage One Task at a Time

Break down tasks into manageable steps. For instance, instead of instructing your child to clean their room, guide them to bring down dishes first, then pick up trash, and so on. Sticky notes can serve as reminders for these tasks.

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Build in Breaks and Movement

Children, especially those with ADHD, thrive with movement and breaks. Integrate physical activity, such as a scavenger hunt or outdoor exploration, between sedentary tasks to reset their focus.

Utilize Brain Breaks

Incorporate activities that break up the monotony and rekindle focus. These can range from mindfulness exercises to snack breaks, which can help sensory-sensitive children re-engage with their tasks.

Progress, Not Perfection

It’s crucial to remember that executive function skills develop over time with patience and perseverance. Each child’s pace is different. What matters is progress, not perfection. By understanding and supporting their unique needs, you can help them develop these skills.

Continued Learning and Resources

The journey to improving executive function in your child is ongoing, but there are resources to support you. Consider exploring online courses about executive function for both parents and children. Engaging in communities like the Learner’s Lab can provide valuable strategies and a supportive network of other homeschooling parents.

Raising a gifted, twice-exceptional, or neurodivergent child involves understanding the complex interplay of their abilities and challenges. By focusing on developing executive function skills, you’re setting the stage for lifelong learning and success. Embrace the journey with creativity and patience, and celebrate each step forward. Together, with your child, you’re building the skills that will support them throughout their lives.

RLL #271: Understanding Executive Function Skills in Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Children

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into what executive function skills actually are, likening them to a control center or the CEO of your body. These skills encompass planning, organization, time management, task initiation, working memory, and self-regulation, among others. But why do so many gifted and neurodivergent kids struggle with them?

The answer often lies in asynchronous development. Different parts of their brain mature at different rates, leading to a brilliant child who can solve complex math problems, yet forgets their socks. But rest assured, executive function skills can be taught and strengthened over time!

Key Takeaways:

• Visibility Matters: Use visual schedules and step-by-step breakdowns for tasks. This makes intangible routines more tangible for your child.
• Teach Time Awareness: Utilize visual timers and create consistent routines. Games like “Beat the Timer” can make learning time fun rather than stressful.
• Incorporate Breaks & Movement: Allow your children to move around, use brain breaks, and include snacks to reset focus.
• One Task at a Time: Present tasks singularly to prevent overwhelm and foster success.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming course on executive function skills, perfect for you and your child to work through together. Stay tuned for more information by joining our newsletter if you haven’t already—it’s the best way to ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest resources and support.

Don’t forget, The Learner’s Lab is also a fantastic resource for in-depth strategies, activities, and group coaching sessions that can further aid your journey in supporting your child’s development.

Get the Book

For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don’t forget to grab my new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It’s a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.

Links and Resources from Today’s Episode

Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math

• The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners
• The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook
• Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab
• Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed.
• The Anxiety Toolkit
• Strengthening Executive Function Skills: A Conversation with Sarah Collins
• Strengthen Executive Function Skills
• The Best Books for Teaching About Executive Functions Skills
• 7 Executive Functioning Activities for Small Children
• RLL #84: Exploring Education and Executive Function with Seth Perler
• The Unmeasured Executive Functioning Issue
• RLL 20: Helping Your Kiddo with Executive Function Skills Struggles | A Listener Question
• RLL LIVE | Improving Executive Functions