As an educator and tutor for over 25 years. I have seen it all: six month old sandwiches in lockers, backpacks bursting open with papers and crumpled projects, a kid who forgot to put on his shoes before heading to school, students coming into class not knowing there was a test. I coached students who didn’t see any reason for homework, “hated” school, and felt like a total failure. I worked to engage those distracted by social cliques and status, the pressure to “not be smart” and problems at home. But, I never imagined THIS. The intensity of today’s digital advances, with all of its benefits and problems, is a whole new playing field for both teachers and, of course, parents.

Raising kids in this fast-paced, tech-driven environment comes with complex challenges. With constant distractions such as social media, scrolling, binge-watching short-form videos, and gaming marathons, many students struggle to stay on track in the “real world.” Society today doesn't just demand focus—it seems to actively fight against it. How can you instill the importance of focus, planning, and organization in your child? Don’t panic just yet …. there is still hope!

In my newest role as academic coach and educational specialist, I am here to tell you that you can help your child develop the executive functioning skills they need to succeed.

It is more challenging than ever for students to focus. We must help them develop greater self-awareness, strategies and optimism.

What Is Executive Function?

Executive function is the suite of cognitive skills that helps us manage our time, plan, prioritize, and achieve goals. In The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Executive Functioning Disorder, author Rebecca Branstetter, Ph.D. explains that these skills are crucial not just for academic success but for life. The good news? These skills can be taught and nurtured. As a supportive parent, you can equip your child with the tools they need to navigate the digital world and thrive.

Challenges Within The Digital Landscape (as if I need to tell YOU!)

Today's students face challenges that are radically different from even a decade ago. While previous generations were distracted by TV and video games, today's diversions are more pervasive and harder to escape. Platforms like TikTok, Insta, and YouTube are designed to keep users scrolling for as long as possible. Each video or post provides a tiny dopamine hit, reinforcing the habit of staying glued to the screen. Video games, particularly immersive multiplayer experiences, can create an “escape” that feels far more rewarding than tackling homework or chores. The preference for quick, digestible soundbites over substance has made deep learning more difficult. The constant stream of social media notifications, likes, and comments keeps students' brains in a state of constant vigilance. No wonder we see increased struggles in engaging with complex subjects that require sustained critical thinking. Parents and educators report that kids’ attention spans are shrinking, making focus on homework or projects feel impossible.

Tips to Help Your Child Thrive

Focus Time: Creating Space for Deep Work

In the book Scattered to Focused, Dr. Branstetter emphasizes the importance of "focus time"—periods where children can engage in deep, uninterrupted work. I can’t agree more. This is the first recommendation I make to the students I coach. How can your child achieve this?

Coach your child to set aside specific times each day for work that is 100% free of distractions. That means no pings, no checking for texts, no music with words, no tv in the background, no pets jumping on them, and no unnecessary conversations. Experts agree that it takes a solid amount of distraction-free time to reach peak efficiency. Bridger Pennington states that, “It takes 15 minutes and 23 seconds for your mind to REFOCUS after a distraction.” Any interruption puts you back to minute 0. This information is gold.
Use a timer to set these focus blocks. I love the fun hexagonal timers you can easily find online. Start small and increase the time in 5-minute increments. The Pomodoro Technique, as well as other time management tools, prove this to be highly effective.
After a focus session, allow a short break. It is so, so important to get moving! Fresh air, a walk or run, sit-ups, a quick game of hoops. All of these clear the mind and increase both energy and focus. If breaks need to be for tech use, ensure they don’t derail productivity.
Schedule fun times to follow work! It is so motivating for your child to see what rewards lie ahead after their work is complete.

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: Building a Roadmap for Success

Setting goals is a cornerstone of executive functioning. Without clear goals, it's easy for students to drift from one distraction to another.

1. Long-Term Goals: These can be broader objectives, such as improving grades by the end of the semester or completing a science project. Help your child make these goals specific and achievable. For example, they should identify the desired grade and make sure that is realistic. A jump from a D to an A is daunting and sets a student up for a lot of anxiety and, perhaps, failure.

In Your Kid's Gonna Be Okay, Dr. Michael Delman emphasizes the importance of teaching kids to visualize the steps needed to reach their goals. He explains that breaking big tasks into smaller parts helps reduce overwhelm and increases the likelihood of success. Mind Maps and other graphic organizers support this process.

2. Short-Term Goals: These might include finishing a math worksheet or reading a chapter of a book. Encourage your child to write these down daily, along with predictions as to how much time these might take. You might want to provide a whiteboard or planner to track goals visually. Achieving small goals provides a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

Planning Ahead: The Power of Preparation

Planning is a skill that many students struggle with, especially in the face of constant distractions. Varied teacher styles of posting homework, including due dates, can add to the challenge. Teaching your child to plan ahead helps them manage their time and avoid last-minute stress.

1. Weekly Planners: Help your child set up a weekly schedule that includes homework, chores, and activities. Add check boxes so they can see their progress; this provides healthy, small dopamine hits. Encourage them to review and adjust the plan regularly. For older students, monthly planners might be best. There are amazing planners online, but a child may internalize this skill more deeply if they create one themselves, unique to their own style and interests.

2. Anticipate Obstacles: Discuss potential distractions or challenges (like a new video game release or sports tournament) and brainstorm solutions together. It is important to build in solid chunks of time off that can be moved to fit your child’s needs.

3. Reverse Planning: Start with the deadline and work backward to identify the steps needed to complete a task. This technique helps students see the big picture and avoid procrastination.

As Branstetter advises in The Everything Parent's Guide, “When kids learn to plan ahead, they’re not just surviving the day—they’re preparing for life.”

A Proper Workspace: Designing for Success

A cluttered environment often leads to a cluttered mind. An organized, designated workspace can help your child stay focused. The workspace should be quiet, well-lit, and free from digital temptations. Encourage your child to keep their phone in another room during focus time. Equip the space with necessary supplies—chargers, pens, notebooks, highlighters, and sticky notes—so there’s no need to get up. Set aside time for digital organization, using a consistent system of file names and folders. Let your child personalize their workspace to make it inviting. A favorite photo or happy decoration can inspire productivity.

Highlighting and Note-Taking: Active Engagement

Effective note-taking and highlighting are essential for deeper learning and better retention. These strategies can help combat the surface-level understanding that often results from soundbite culture. Encourage your child to summarize information in their own words, ask questions, and jot down reflections. This promotes active engagement with the material. Use different colors for highlighting key points, supporting details, and questions. This visual organization makes studying more efficient. In Scattered to Focused, Branstetter emphasizes that note-taking helps students “engage their brains and make connections,” fostering better focus and comprehension.

Highlighting steps and directions, as well as content, is an effective strategy.

Flexible Thinking: Adapting to Challenges

In a world that changes rapidly, flexible thinking is a vital executive function skill. It helps kids adapt when things don't go as planned and find creative solutions to problems. It is powerful when parents model flexibility. When plans change, demonstrate a positive attitude and show your child how to pivot gracefully.

When your child faces a challenge, brainstorm different ways to tackle it. This helps them see that there’s often more than one solution to a problem. Praise effort and persistence rather than just outcomes. Outcome-based expectations can limit creativity and risk-taking. Remind your child that mistakes are inevitable; they are also opportunities for learning.

Forward Motion!

Supporting your child’s executive functioning skills in today’s distracted world is a journey—one that requires patience, consistency, and a lot of encouragement. Remember, your child won’t become a master planner or focus expert overnight but, with your support, they can develop these skills gradually. In Your Kid's Gonna Be Okay, Dr. Delman reassures parents that even in the age of constant distraction, “progress is always possible.”

By implementing focus time, goal-setting, planning, proper workspaces, active engagement, and flexible thinking, you’re giving your child the tools and optimism to thrive. Stay patient (with yourself as well), stay supportive, and know that every small step forward is a victory!

Resources:

The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Executive Functioning Disorder, by Rebecca Branstetter, Ph.D.

Scattered to Focused, by Rebecca Branstetter, Ph.D.

Your Kid's Gonna Be Okay, by Michael Delman

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey

Raising Focused Kids in a Distracted World: How Can I Help My Child With Executive Functioning?