18 Jul Developing Executive Skills in Children: What to Expect at Each Age
Cornerstone Protection
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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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
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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!
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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.
DEVELOPING EXECUTIVE SKILLS IN CHILDREN
Developing Executive Skills in Children: What to Expect at Each Age
You know your child is smart and has so much potential. However, you may have noticed some challenges with skills like time management, planning, and organization. These are known as executive function skills and take time to develop.
The good news is that there are age-appropriate milestones you can expect as your child grows to help foster these important abilities. Knowing what is typical at each stage can help you provide the right support and set the proper expectations.
Whether your child is in elementary, middle, or high school, read more about the key executive skills emerging during these formative years and how you can help strengthen them at home. Your child will build a solid foundation to thrive in and out of the classroom with patience and practice.
Executive Skills in Elementary School Kids (Ages 6-10)
Kids between 6 and 10 years old start developing key executive skills that serve them well. Their frontal lobes are developing rapidly at this age, improving their ability to focus, manage emotions, solve problems logically, and plan ahead.
- Attention and concentration are blossoming. Kids this age can do 30-60 minutes of homework or focused activity. Help them build this skill by limiting distractions when doing homework or chores.
- Organization and planning skills take off around 2nd or 3rd grade. Help your child tidy their space and materials, and make schedules and to-do lists together. Teach them how to break big tasks into smaller steps. These skills will help reduce frustration and set them up for success.
- Logical reasoning and problem-solving improve dramatically. Kids this age can understand cause and effect, weigh pros and cons, and solve problems independently. Encourage them to make informed choices and think through the consequences. Praise their efforts at problem-solving, even if they do not get the right answer.
- Their emotional control gets better, but they still need support. Kids will have fewer tantrums but may struggle with disappointment or anger. Help them identify emotions and express them appropriately. Model emotional regulation yourself and be available to talk them through challenging feelings.
With patience and practice, 6 to 10-year-olds can master foundational executive skills to set them up for greater independence and success in their pre-and teen years. Provide opportunities for them to make decisions, work through challenges, and gain confidence in their abilities. The reward will be watching your child blossom into a responsible, thoughtful, self-directed individual.
Middle School Executive Functioning Development (Ages 11-13)
The middle school years are a time of major growth in executive functioning for kids. As their brains develop, 11 to 13-year-olds gain skills that will serve them well in high school and beyond.
- Planning and prioritizing become easier. Kids this age can think through the steps required to achieve short- and long-term goals. They can better determine what is most important to focus on and schedule their time accordingly.
- Task initiation improves. It is easier for middle schoolers to get started on assignments or chores without excessive prompting. Their growing independence and sense of responsibility motivate them to take action.
- Emotional regulation develops. The preteen brain is developing the ability to manage emotions and control impulses. While mood swings are still common, kids are learning strategies better to handle frustration, anger, and other strong feelings.
- Problem-solving skills strengthen. 11 to 13-year-olds can have more complex reasoning and critical thinking. They can analyze situations thoroughly, evaluate options, and implement solutions with less supervision.
The middle school years are exciting as kids gain skills and knowledge that will prepare and help them in high school and beyond. With patience and support, preteens navigate huge leaps in emotional, social, and cognitive development, allowing their blossoming independence and sense of responsibility to motivate them toward success.
High School Executive Skills (Ages 14-18)
Planning and Prioritizing
Teenagers start developing more advanced planning and prioritizing skills during high school. They can:
- Create schedules and timelines for long-term projects with many steps.
- Balance social activities, extracurriculars, chores, and homework demands.
- Start to think about future goals and how to achieve them.
Task Initiation
High schoolers may struggle with starting tasks, especially unpleasant or difficult ones. Some tips to help improve task initiation:
- Break big assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks to make them feel less overwhelming. This can make it easier to dive in.
- Set deadlines for yourself and start working ahead of time. Do not wait until the last minute.
- Remove distractions like phones and limit interruptions. A quiet, dedicated workspace can help you focus and get started.
Working Memory
During high school, teenagers can keep more details in their minds at once and mentally manipulate that information. Some signs of improved working memory are:
- The ability to take more advanced math classes that require holding lots of numbers and steps in your head.
- Learning to drive a car by keeping track of multiple parts like the steering wheel, mirrors, pedals, gear shift, traffic rules, navigation, etc.
- Recalling extended conversations, lectures, or explanations without forgetting important details.
Emotional Regulation
Teenage hormones and life stresses can intensify emotions during high school. Emotional regulation skills take time and practice to develop. Some tips to help:
- Recognize emotional triggers and warning signs of distress. Take a timeout to prevent reacting impulsively.
- Learn coping strategies like deep breathing, meditation, journaling, or exercise. Find what works for you.
- Talk to others. Speaking with trusted sources of support can help gain perspective and ease distressing emotions.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a roadmap for what executive skills to anticipate developing in your kids at different ages. The key is not to expect too much too soon; every child develops at their own pace. Focus on encouraging and reinforcing emerging skills for their age while gently pushing them outside their comfort zone.
With patience, practice, and persistence, these lifelong skills will strengthen over time. Before you know it, you will have an organized, independent thinker on your hands, ready to thrive in school and beyond. Though the days may feel long, the years are short. Enjoy this journey of growth and discovery with your child. The skills you help shape now will serve them well into adulthood.
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Craig Selinger
Owner at Themba Tutors
Meet Craig Selinger, the passionate owner behind Themba Tutors, a renowned practice specializing in executive function coaching and tutoring. Together with his team of multidisciplinary professionals, they bring their extensive knowledge to numerous locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as offering remote services. As a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of NY, executive functioning coach, and educational specialist with an impressive track record spanning over two decades, Craig has professionally assisted thousands of families. Craig's proficiency encompasses a wide spectrum of areas, including language-related learning challenges such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. He is also well-versed in executive functioning, ADHD/ADD, and various learning disabilities. What truly distinguishes Craig and his team is their unwavering commitment to delivering comprehensive support. By actively collaborating with the most esteemed professionals within the NYC metropolitan region – from neuropsychologists to mental health therapists and allied health experts – they create a network of expertise.
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