Closing the Semester Strong: How to Build Executive Functioning Routines Before Winter Break
As the semester winds down, students often experience a mix of excitement and stress. Holiday events, end-of-semester assignments, changing schedules, and fatigue can all make it harder for students to stay organized and focused. This is a perfect time for families and schools to reinforce executive functioning skills —the mental abilities that help students plan, organize, manage time, and regulate their emotions. The good news? Small, intentional routines at school and at home can make a big difference. Strengthening these skills in December not only helps students finish the semester strong but also sets them up for a smoother transition back in January. Why Executive Functioning Skills Matter Executive functioning includes skills such as: Organization Task initiation Planning and prioritizing Time management Emotional self-regulation Working memory When these skills are supported, students are better able to: Keep track of assignments Prepare for...