Helping Your Child Strengthen Executive Functioning Skills Over Summer Break

By Etti Siegel

Summer is a wonderful time to help your child (and even yourself!) strengthen executive functioning skills. With school pressures on pause, you can slow down and focus on growth through everyday activities.

What Is Executive Function?

Executive functioning refers to the brain’s ability to manage and regulate tasks such as planning, staying organized, managing time, controlling impulses, and handling emotions. Some kids naturally develop these skills, while others need direct, intentional practice. Summer provides the perfect setting to work on them together.

Build Routines Together

One of the most effective ways to support executive functioning is by creating a predictable daily routine. It becomes even more powerful when you involve your child in the planning. After breakfast, ask, “Let’s decide what we want to get done today.” You might start with, “We need to go to the library and make lunch. What else would you like to do?” Work together to decide on the schedule and how to get everything done.

If your child attends day camp, focus on planning the late afternoon and evening, as well as Shabbos and Sunday. Visual aids like whiteboards or sticky notes can help your child see the day’s plan and feel a sense of control and accomplishment as they check off completed tasks.

Turn Games Into Growth

Games are an excellent way to develop executive functioning skills in a fun and relaxed way. For working memory and flexibility, try games like Uno, Simon Says, or 20 Questions. These games require your child to hold rules in mind, adapt to changing situations, and think quickly.

Older kids can benefit from strategy games like checkers, chess, and logic puzzles. Electronic games such as Bop It or Simon can also improve focus and sequencing skills, as long as they are used with intention. Choose screen-based games recommended by educators or occupational therapists to ensure they remain purposeful.

Practice Real-Life Planning

Use everyday opportunities to build executive functioning. For instance, planning a family trip can teach skills like organizing, sequencing, and anticipating needs. Ask questions like “What do we need to bring?” and “What do we need to do first?” If you’re going out on Sunday, your child might realize they need to shop on Friday and pack the cooler Sunday morning.

Tackle Tasks One Step at a Time

Children with executive functioning challenges often struggle to start tasks or feel overwhelmed. Break down chores into small steps. You might say, “Let’s just pick up the dirty clothes first.” Turn it into a fun challenge using a timer. For example, “Let’s see how much of the bookshelf we can clean in five minutes.”

Teach Emotional Regulation

Executive functioning also includes emotional self-control. Summer is a great time to help your child explore their emotions and how to manage them. Take walks and reflect on the day. Try saying, “I noticed you got frustrated when your Lego tower fell. What helped you calm down?”

Create a calm-down space at home with drawing materials, a cozy pillow, or a favorite book. Each time your child chooses that space to cope, they are practicing emotional regulation.

Set a Summer Goal

Help your child choose and work toward a personal summer goal. It could be learning to ride a bike, baking desserts, writing a comic book, or reading five chapter books. Break the goal into steps and use a visual tracker to celebrate progress.

Children may want to give up if it feels too hard. That’s when your support becomes essential. Keep the focus on effort rather than results. Say things like, “You stuck with that even when it got tough,” or “I saw you take a deep breath instead of yelling. That’s not easy.”

Everyday Moments Count

You don’t need a packed schedule of programs to help your child grow. Cooking together, organizing a closet, building a fort, or simply planning the day can build essential skills.

With your support and encouragement, your child can start the new school year feeling more confident and better equipped to manage everyday challenges.

Enjoy your summer!

 

About the Author

Mrs. Etti Siegel holds an MS in Teaching and Learning/Educational Leadership and brings over 35 years of teaching and administrative experience to her work. She is an adjunct professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent/Sara Shenirer, a coach and educational consultant for Catapult Learning, and a sought-after mentor and workshop presenter. She frequently contributes to Hamechanech Magazine and The Journal for Jewish Day School Leaders. Mrs. Siegel answers education-based questions weekly for The Jewish Home and can be reached at ettisiegel@gmail.com.