We know how hard it can be to assist your student when they struggle with executive functioning skills. Varsity Tutors can help you find executive function tutoring that provides the guidance they need. As a parent, you may be familiar with the term executive function as it relates to individuals with ADHD. Maybe you became aware of it after discussing ongoing symptoms with providers or by doing research on your own. Essentially, executive function can be broken down into three core skills: working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Together, these skills are responsible for paying attention, planning and organization, initiating and staying focused on tasks, self-monitoring, and regulating emotions. If these are skills you know your student needs to develop, working with executive function tutors can help.
The symptoms children experience vary based on their age. In preschool, you may notice more tantrums than normal or that your child becomes frustrated easily and expresses these frustrations by becoming aggressive. In elementary school, students may panic when routines are changed, have a messy work station, or becomes easily distracted and have difficulty differentiating what is or is not important. In middle school, students may seem overwhelmed and find it difficult to begin new projects, think that things are unfair when they are a natural consequence of an action, or become easily upset by unexpected minor events. In high school, a student's time management issues may become more evident, their behavior during group work more problematic, and impulsivity may increase.
It's important to understand how the symptoms change over time and that students who have difficulty with executive function will likely need different types of support. Continue reading to learn more about how working with a private instructor with experience with executive function tutoring can be beneficial for your student.
What skills can executive function tutoring cover?
Executive function tutors can work with your child on a wide range of skills depending on their age and the symptoms they are experiencing. If your student has difficulty with working memory (this was once called short-term memory), their executive function tutor could use exercises like visualization, various games, active reading, or have your child teach a lesson they learned in school to help them to build this skill.
Flexible thinking, or cognitive flexibility, is another skill an executive function tutor can work on with your student. This involves cultivating the ability to see things from a different viewpoint or to perform a task in more than one way. Some of the tactics that can be used to build flexible thinking skills include working with puns or riddles, pretend play, creating new rules for familiar games, or even working together to discover new ways to complete everyday tasks.
Inhibitory control is often one of the most difficult skills for students who have executive function issues. An important step in this process can be to help students learn to identify and express their feelings in more appropriate ways. There are also a variety of mindfulness and meditation practices that can be implemented to help students pay attention to their thoughts before they act on them.
Various organizational skills can also help students who have difficulty with executive function. This could include creating a color-coding system for homework or notebooks, implementing a calendar routine, or helping students organize their backpacks.
What subjects can be covered during executive function tutoring sessions?
Executive function skills are applicable in all areas of life. Executive function tutors can work with students of all ages across a variety of subject areas in elementary and middle school, including math, science, language arts, and social studies. As students progress through high school and into college, they may require the assistance of someone with specific knowledge of specialized courses such as foreign languages, AP classes, or advanced math. However, other students simply need assistance with the executive function and don't need any specific subject-related instruction. The needs of your child will determine what their executive function tutor focuses on during their sessions.
How is executive function tutoring different from being in a classroom?
Executive function tutoring is nothing like a typical classroom experience. In a traditional classroom, the focus of the instructor is on the subject content. Teachers have a carefully regimented schedule to which they must adhere if they are going to expose students to all of the content they need to master before the end of the year. With so much academic focus, it's virtually impossible to support individual students who need additional help learning how to build their executive functioning skills.
When working with an executive function tutor, your student will gain access to the skills that other people take for granted. Instead of expecting your child to automatically understand how to regulate their emotions, stay on task, or understand which task is most important, your student will have someone who can teach them the tools and tactics they need to develop those traits within themselves.
Of course, an executive function tutor can do this within the context of your child's homework and reviewing classwork, but that isn't the focus of the session in the same way it would be in a classroom setting. Interestingly, when students have the support they need in developing and implementing executive function strategies, they often become better equipped to handle the day-to-day activities in a classroom.
What are some of the benefits of working with an executive function tutor near me?
Working with an executive function tutor allows students to be seen in a way that many have never before experienced. Instead of feeling like something is wrong with them or wondering why everything seems easier for everyone else, they have an ally who understands that the learning difference doesn't make them bad at school, it just makes them different. This can be an invaluable resource for a student who may have never before realized that the things that are so challenging for them aren't because they are lazy or aren't trying. It's just because their brain works a little differently. With this realization comes the knowledge that, with enough practice, it can be possible to change the way your student interacts with the world.
An executive function tutor can also help parents understand the various behaviors which may be resulting from the underlying issues with executive function. If you aren't sure how to support your child as they work to develop these skills, be sure to speak with their instructor and request specific activities, routines, or tactics that you can implement at home.
How convenient is working with an executive function tutor near me?
Studying with an executive function tutor can be truly life-changing for a child who struggles with these skills. Unfortunately, many parents don't realize it is an option, and those that do often have difficulty finding someone who can work with their child at a time or location that fits with their schedule. We believe all students deserve the support they need to work towards their academic goals. That's just one of the reasons we've built our Live Learning Platform. With this online resource, it's easy for students to connect with private instructors no matter where they are.
When it's time for a session to begin, your child only needs their digital device and a reliable internet connection. Once they've logged in to the platform, they will be face-to-face with their private instructor. In many ways, this online learning environment is similar to being seated across the table from one another.
There are several features that make this space an exceptional learning environment. The digital whiteboard allows instructors to share resources, create charts or mind maps to better illustrate points, and work with your student in an interactive setting. The document sharing function allows both your student and the instructor to share files as needed. This could mean reading a passage together or working through a skill-building exercise side-by-side. If the instructor is helping your student with homework, the document sharing functionality allows them to monitor work in real-time and offer instant feedback or suggestions.
With online instruction, you have greater access to highly qualified instructors. This makes it easy to schedule sessions throughout the week and even on weekends during the morning, afternoon, or evening. However, if you'd prefer to have your student work with someone in person, this is also an option.
How can I find an executive function tutor near me?
Finding instructors who have experience as executive function tutors can be challenging for parents, which is why Varsity Tutors works so hard to make connecting easy. Whether you want someone to work with your student in person or in an online setting, we'd love to discuss your options. If you've been thinking about how you can help your student develop critical executive function skills that come naturally to you, executive function tutoring can be an invaluable resource. Contact Varsity Tutors today to schedule a session with an executive function tutor or to learn more. We look forward to connecting your student with a qualified instructor.
