Attention, concentration and organisation: supporting your child's executive function skills at school

All children face challenges at some point during their educational journey, but for some, their seeming lack of organisation and focus or apparent carelessness could be indicative of underdeveloped executive function skills.

If this is the case, simply directing them to “pay more attention” or “try harder” or “show more commitment and responsibility” is unlikely to make a notable difference.

What is “executive function”?

Executive function refers to the mental processes and skills that enable a person to carry out a range of everyday tasks using monitored and controlled actions:

• Planning, organising and managing tasks
• Storing, retrieving and using information (working memory)
• Problem-solving and thinking flexibly (shifting between tasks or trying alternative strategies)
• Decision-making
• Time management
• Emotional regulation and impulse control

Some people find it helpful to categorise different elements of executive functioning as “cool” or “hot”. “Cool” executive function elements are non-emotional cognitive skills such as inhibition, working memory and cognitive flexibility, while “hot” executive function elements refer to emotionally-driven skills such as affective decision-making (making choices that are influenced by emotions, e.g. when there is reward or risk involved) and delayed gratification.

Some studies suggest that “hot” executive function skills may develop more slowly and inconsistently than “cool” executive function skills.¹

All these skills are housed in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is an area that continues to mature into early adulthood. It’s normal for children (and teens) to struggle with executive function at various points during their school life, these skills do not develop in a linear way, meaning your child is likely to experience spurts of noticeable skill development but they can also plateau or even regress.

As parents and carers, understanding this ebb and flow helps us to set our own expectations (and patience levels!) and support each child at their own pace.

Executive function challenges

Children who are struggling with executive function may have difficulty starting and/or completing tasks and sustaining their attention and focus. They might frequently lose important things (e.g. equipment for school), lose track of time, struggle to follow multi-step instructions and experience frequent or extreme emotional outbursts.

Neurodivergent children, such as those with ADHD, autism or specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia), often experience more pronounced executive function challenges compared with their peers.²

It’s understandable to feel concerned about your child; however, with the right support, most children can make significant progress in developing these skills.

Supporting your child with executive function skills

As a parent or caregiver, you are one of the most powerful influences on your child’s development. Research shows that parent-mediated interventions, where parents provide consistent support and help build their child’s skills at home, are highly effective, often more effective than sending the child directly to a therapist or coach.

By consistently modelling calm and structured approaches to the planning and execution of tasks, as well as guiding and supporting your child while they develop these skills, you help build the neural pathways your child needs to eventually manage their own learning, time and emotions independently.

Surprisingly small shifts in how you guide, communicate, and structure daily life can have a big impact. Some of these strategies may help you to nurture your child’s executive function skills:

• Use short, clear step-by-step instructions (break down tasks into manageable chunks)
• Make lists and use visual cues (visual schedules, tick lists and colour coding can reduce cognitive load)
• Set up routines and structure (predictable routines help children know what to expect and can reduce anxiety)
• Minimise distractions (create a calm, organised space for learning and homework)
• Use technology wisely (timers, alarms, and calendar reminders can support time management)
• Model and praise the process, not just the result (recognise effort, planning, and perseverance)
• Support emotional regulation (talk about feelings, identify triggers, and practise calming strategies)

Understanding your child’s unique profile

Attention, concentration and organisation is a strong predictor of academic success and even future earning potential. Children who excel in this area tend to be able to stay focused, complete tasks with fewer prompts, and switch between tasks smoothly. Those who struggle may avoid demanding activities, lose belongings, or leave tasks unfinished.

These skills are essential for everyday school life. Without them, even bright and motivated children can feel exhausted or overwhelmed.

Executive function challenges rarely appear in isolation, they often go hand-in-hand with emotional regulation difficulties and low self-esteem. That’s why it helps to look at your child’s development holistically, recognising the overlap between different developmental dimensions and the unique way in which each child develops, so you can target support where it’s needed most.

Executive function challenges are common. They are not a reflection of your child’s intelligence, their motivation or your parenting ability.

By tuning into your child’s unique profile and offering the right support, you can help lay a foundation for independence, resilience, and confidence that will benefit them throughout their educational journey, and beyond.