executive functioning
What is Executive Functioning?
You may have heard a school counsellor, or another parent talk about “Executive Functioning” and how so many of our kids struggle with that skill today. Basically, executive functioning is problem solving, coping, and common sense ways to solve small problems and overcome easy challenges. Other words for that skill are “proactive” and “initiative.” Sadly, the modern world has stunted so many of these skills that are necessary for success, especially in the “real world” outside the four walls of school.
The good news is that these skills, and the success mindset that enable them, are teachable and learnable. We like our students to strive for what we call a Champion’s Mindset.
HOW MANY OF US HAVE HAD A CONVERSATION SIMILAR TO THIS:
Mom: Maybe we should go for a bike ride?
Teenager: But my tires are flat.
Mom: Ok, what do we do when a tire is flat?
Teenager: Pump it. But I don’t know where the pump is.
Mom: Ok, what do we do when we can’t find something?
Teenager: Look for it, but I don’t know where to look.
Mom: Well, let’s look where it’s most likely to be; maybe in the garage by the bikes, or in the toolkit, or the supply drawer?
Teenager: But I don’t know where to ride …
Mom: Remember we went though the woods by the middle school, last time? It was fun.
Teenager: But I’m not sure how to get there …
Mom: Ok, let’s look at a map and learn that route, it’s easy and close by.
Teenager: I don’t know where a map is … (Hundreds of maps of the neighborhood are available with one stroke on their phone, which they’ve been staring into all morning …)
What does Leadership Mean to your child?
Elite admissions officers often refer to “Leadership” as a crucial skill. But the word is often ambiguous, hard to translate, and can sound empty of specific meaning as a skill.