http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/avoiding-the-midwinter-back-to-school-slump/?_r=0     

In this New York Times Parent-Teacher Conference blog, Jessica Lahey  noted 7 tips to help parents deal with the “January humdrum”:

 1.       Reassess rules

2.       Talk about work space and study habits. 

3.       Check in on long-term projects. 

4.       Make reading a part of your daily life. 

5.       Set new goals. 

6.       Get outside. 

7.      Give in to the season. 

 As you read Jessica’s tips, keep in mind some of the key executive function skills needed to succeed at school and in life such as Goal setting, Thinking flexibly, Organizing, Memorizing, Self-correcting.  Each of these helpful tips reminds us of the importance of executive function skills in school and at home.  For each of Jessica’s tips, there is an executive function connection.   Executive function processes are a part of every goal-oriented behavior in school and out of school! 

 ·         Following  rules requires working memory and  self-monitoring. 

·         Cleaning up a work space requires children to break down big tasks into smaller ones, and organizing materials or time.

·         Studying and completing long-term projects involves planning and time management.  

·         Reading is a complex process which includes decoding, as well as remembering, organizing and synthesizing.    

·         Setting reasonable goals requires self-reflection, thinking into the future, planning how to achieve those goals in small steps, and self-monitoring.

·         Lastly, the need to get outside and give in to the season is so important for all kids, but especially those who struggle with attention, learning and executive function difficulties.  Physical movement and time spent with activities they enjoy are crucial. Children with learning differences work harder than others to self-regulate and cope with changing schedules throughout the year! 

If your kids are struggling to get back to school after the holiday, they may need extra help.  Check out ILD’s full range of services, including executive function coaching, educational therapy, and neuro-psychological assessments:  http://www.ildlex.org/