Learning to wait builds self-regulation. Because children’s executive function skills—including impulse control and flexibility—are still developing, they may struggle to delay gratification, handle uncertainty, and manage unstructured time. Waiting can be especially difficult when they don’t know how long it will last. By waiting calmly and respectfully, adults model self-regulation and help children develop lasting …

Continue reading Wait Cards, Timers, and More: Helping Children Learn to Wait

Executive function (EF) skills develop from childhood through young adulthood; we are not born with them fully formed. Although EF difficulties are closely associated with disabilities, people of all ages—with or without a diagnosed disability—may struggle with these skills. Fortunately, EF skills can be taught and strengthened. Educators use strategies to build them at school, …

Continue reading Teaching by Example: Building Your Child’s Executive Function Skills

Aaron enjoys school but sometimes has difficulty regulating his emotions when he feels anxious.  This could lead to inappropriate behavior such as screaming or stomping out of the classroom.  His teacher worked with Aaron to be aware of and identify his emotional states.  One of Aaron’s strengths is that he is able to persist and engage in activities …

Continue reading Visual Scales: A Strategy for Self-Regulation

Miss Nagle, a first-year teacher, found that some of her biggest behavioral challenges occurred during times when students were expected to work independently. As she attempted to work with individual or small groups of students, she found that many of the students who were expected to work independently had a difficult time getting started on …

Continue reading Do You Know About FILE? Fun, Independent, Limitless, Engaging Folder Activities for Hands-On Learning

Felicia performed well academically and socially when she was in a highly predictable environment and the expectations were clear to her. However, on occasion there was an unexpected “glitch” in Felicia’s day (e.g., arriving at class without the necessary textbook; her pen running out of ink in the middle of taking notes during a lecture; …

Continue reading Social Narratives:  Effective Tools for Students Who Struggle with Leveled Emotionality