02 Apr 6 Core Executive Functions for Middle Schoolers
Brooklyn Letters
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
-
We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old -
Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
-
I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
-
Excellent services, caring therapists.
-
Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
-
We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
-
We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
-
The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
-
Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
-
I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
-
Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
-
Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
Thanks to both for a job well done... -
Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
-
Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
-
One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
-
I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
-
Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
-
I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
-
Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
-
My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
-
I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
-
Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
-
Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
-
Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
-
As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
-
We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
-
Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
-
Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
-
The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
-
I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
-
We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
-
The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
-
Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
-
We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
6 Core Executive Functions for Middle Schoolers: Boost Academic Success with Themba Tutors in NYC
Why Executive Function Skills Matter in Middle School
Middle school is a critical time for students to develop executive function (EF) skills, which help them manage schoolwork, organize materials, and complete assignments on time. Studies show that 75% of middle schoolers struggle with at least one core executive function skill, making it harder for them to keep up with academic demands.
Without strong EF skills, students may experience:
✅ Difficulty following multi-step instructions
✅ Challenges with organization and keeping materials in order
✅ Procrastination and trouble starting homework
✅ Struggles with staying focused on long-term projects
At Themba Tutors, we offer executive function coaching in NYC to help middle school students build essential EF skills for academic success.
📌 Learn how EF coaching improves middle school learning skills.
👉6 Core Executive Functions for Middle Schoolers PDF here👈
What Are the 6 Core Executive Function Skills?
Executive functions are cognitive skills that help students plan, focus, and complete tasks efficiently. Without these skills, middle schoolers may struggle with homework, organization, time management, and test preparation.
The six key executive function skills middle schoolers need to develop include:
✅ Working Memory – Remembering and applying multi-step instructions
✅ Cognitive Flexibility – Adapting to new information and switching tasks efficiently
✅ Inhibitory Control – Avoiding distractions and staying on task
✅ Planning & Organization – Structuring assignments and managing materials
✅ Time Management – Estimating how long tasks will take and prioritizing work
✅ Self-Monitoring – Assessing their own work quality and progress
At Themba Tutors, we help students develop these skills to improve focus, academic performance, and confidence.
1. Strengthening Working Memory for Academic Success
Working memory is essential for processing and retaining information, allowing students to follow multi-step instructions, solve math problems, and recall key details from lessons. Research shows that 40% of middle schoolers struggle with remembering multi-step directions, making it difficult to complete assignments correctly.
To improve working memory, students should:
✅ Use checklists and written reminders for complex tasks
✅ Break assignments into smaller steps to make information easier to process
✅ Practice retrieval exercises to reinforce learning
At Themba Tutors, we teach students strategies to strengthen working memory and improve academic performance.
📌 Discover how working memory supports middle school learning.
2. Improving Cognitive Flexibility to Adapt to New Challenges
Cognitive flexibility allows students to switch between tasks, adjust to new situations, and problem-solve effectively. However, 35% of middle schoolers find it hard to switch between tasks, which can lead to frustration and difficulty keeping up with changing classroom expectations.
To develop cognitive flexibility, students should:
✅ Practice shifting between subjects and tasks to strengthen adaptability
✅ Engage in creative problem-solving activities that require thinking from different perspectives
✅ Use strategies like self-talk to manage frustration when adapting to new challenges
At Themba Tutors, we help students build cognitive flexibility skills to navigate academic and social situations with ease.
📌 Learn how cognitive flexibility improves student adaptability.
3. Enhancing Inhibitory Control to Reduce Distractions
Inhibitory control helps students stay focused, resist distractions, and complete tasks efficiently. Studies show that 45% of middle school students struggle with distractions, making it hard to finish homework or pay attention in class.
To strengthen inhibitory control, students should:
✅ Use structured study environments with minimal distractions
✅ Practice mindfulness techniques to improve focus
✅ Set goals and reward themselves for completing tasks without interruptions
At Themba Tutors, we provide personalized coaching to help students stay focused and improve self-control.
📌 Find out how inhibitory control supports academic success.
4. Building Planning & Organization Skills
Planning and organization are key executive function skills that help students structure assignments, keep track of materials, and manage schoolwork effectively. Research shows that 50% of middle schoolers struggle with long-term planning, leading to last-minute stress and missed deadlines.
To improve planning and organization, students should:
✅ Use planners or digital tools to track assignments and deadlines
✅ Break large projects into smaller, manageable steps
✅ Develop consistent routines for organizing materials and homework
At Themba Tutors, we teach planning and organization strategies that help students stay on top of schoolwork.
📌 Learn how EF coaching helps with organization and planning.
5. Strengthening Time Management for Productivity
Middle schoolers often underestimate how long assignments will take, leading to rushed work and incomplete tasks. Studies show that 55% of students struggle with time management, making it harder to balance school, homework, and extracurricular activities.
To improve time management, students should:
✅ Use timers or alarms to track time spent on assignments
✅ Prioritize important tasks first to avoid procrastination
✅ Create structured study schedules to stay organized
At Themba Tutors, we help students develop time management strategies to improve productivity and reduce academic stress.
6. Developing Self-Monitoring for Independent Learning
Self-monitoring helps students evaluate their own work, recognize mistakes, and make adjustments. Research shows that 58% of middle schoolers struggle with assessing the quality of their work, leading to inconsistent grades and a lack of confidence.
To improve self-monitoring, students should:
✅ Review their work before submitting it to check for errors
✅ Use self-reflection strategies to assess what went well and what needs improvement
✅ Seek feedback from teachers or tutors to refine their skills
At Themba Tutors, we teach students how to self-monitor their progress and take ownership of their learning.
How Themba Tutors Helps Middle Schoolers Strengthen EF Skills
At Themba Tutors, we provide executive function coaching in NYC to help middle schoolers develop the key EF skills needed for academic success. Our coaching focuses on working memory, cognitive flexibility, time management, planning, and self-monitoring to help students thrive in school.
Through our coaching, students learn how to:
✅ Improve organization and planning for better homework completion
✅ Develop time management strategies to reduce stress
✅ Enhance focus and reduce distractions in academic settings
If your middle schooler struggles with organization, time management, or self-monitoring, our coaching can help them build essential executive function skills for long-term success.
📌 Contact Themba Tutors for Executive Function Coaching Today.
🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the six super skills for executive functioning?
The six core executive function skills crucial for middle school success are:
- Working Memory – remembering and using multi-step directions
- Cognitive Flexibility – adapting to new information and switching tasks
- Inhibitory Control – avoiding distractions and staying focused
- Planning & Organization – managing materials and structuring assignments
- Time Management – estimating time and prioritizing tasks
- Self-Monitoring – evaluating work quality and tracking progress
These skills help students manage academic demands, stay organized, and build confidence.
2. What is core executive function?
Core executive function refers to the foundational cognitive processes that support goal-directed behavior. In the school setting, this includes working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility—the mental tools students use to follow instructions, resist distractions, and shift between tasks effectively.
3. What are the 12 executive function skills?
While the content focuses on six, the broader model of executive functioning often includes 12 skills. The six highlighted here—working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, planning & organization, time management, and self-monitoring—are essential for academic success and form the foundation of Themba Tutors’ executive function coaching for middle schoolers.
4. What is executive functioning in school setting?
In a school setting, executive functioning involves the ability to:
- Organize materials and assignments
- Manage time and meet deadlines
- Focus attention and avoid distractions
- Adapt to shifting classroom demands
- Plan and break down projects
- Self-monitor and assess academic progress
Without these skills, middle schoolers often struggle with procrastination, incomplete homework, and inconsistent performance. Themba Tutors provides personalized coaching to help students build these skills and thrive academically.
Free Consultation!
Call: (917) 382-8641, Text: (833) 565-2370
Email: [email protected]
(We respond to email right away!)
Craig Selinger
Latest posts by Craig Selinger (see all)
- Co-Blog: Mastering the Maze – Executive Functioning, Anxiety, and Student Success in NYC - September 2, 2025
- DeltaMath Tutoring NYC | Expert Help from Themba Tutors - June 10, 2025
- Executive Function Coach vs. Therapist: Key Differences - May 6, 2025
No Comments