f�����
connections
News and campus highlights connecting the New Way Academy family. Winter 2016 | Volume 1 | Issue 2
Executive Function at Home Managing Time at Home heck lists help students C of all ages understand sequential events and household expectations. For example: • A before school checklist that includes a morning schedule and backpack check list; • Laminated hygiene steps posted in the bathroom to be checked off with a dry-erase marker; • Schedules with pictures which can facilitate time management, especially in younger students. Set timers and verbalize time reminders to help develop a concept of time. We often find that students have a skewed sense of time. Discuss how long activities will take to help students develop a realistic concept of time. Communicate with your child’s teacher and see if you can implement consistent organization systems at home to strengthen classroom strategies.
At New Way, we strive to equip students with the tools, experience and self-awareness to flourish. While every student has diverse strengths and areas of need, one of the greatest predictors of lifelong academic, professional, and personal success are Executive Function skills. Executive Function affects our ability to maintain attention, time-management, organization, and working-memory. As Executive Function directly affects virtually every aspect of life, it only makes sense that we support the development of these skills both in and out of the classroom, across all ages. Parents often inquire about ideas to use at home to further support these developing areas. The good news is, it can be fun and easy to work on these skills at home! You can start using these simple ideas today: · Play Together. A simple card or board game allows children to expand their understanding of cause and effect, while practicing mental flexibility and rule following. Games that require matching cards and memory can strengthen working memory, organization strategies, and attention. Jenga is a great game for all ages! It requires planning, impulse control, and self-monitoring. Players have to assess the pieces each turn before making a plan of action, which requires flexible thinking.
by Laura Casanova
Above all else, encouraging sportsmanship and positive social interactions support the development of emotional regulation. · Lead by Example. Tools such as a family calendar, color coding systems, labels, and task lists support the development of skills as children can practice time-management, organization, and self-monitoring. [See sidebar for specific ideas.] · Practice and Praise. Developing new skills requires time, patience, and consistency. Only select one task to work on at a time. Focus energy and resources on developing this one goal. Too much at once can be discouraging. Set small, specific, manageable goals and celebrate growth and success along the way. Positive reinforcement can be particularly effective at all ages. For younger students, sticker charts or a point system to earn bigger prizes can be used to maintain motivation. This also helps develop cause and effect and impulse control, as it requires a long term reward. Children with deficits in Executive Function may express frustration or fatigue as they are challenged to grow in these areas. Ultimately, we must remember that all new skills require practice! We hope you find comfort in knowing there are many diverse and creative ways to support the development of Executive Function at home. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Executive Function staff at New Way. We are happily and readily available to support your student’s success however we possibly can!
5048 E. Oak Street | Phoenix, AZ 85008 | 602.629.6850 | newwayacademy.org