Hi, Last week, my daughter asked if she could go to his friend’s house after school. “Sure,” I said. “What’s your plan?” She looked at me like I’d asked her to solve quantum physics. “My… plan?” “Exactly. You have homework, you need to set the supper table, and we’re leaving for Bubby at 6:00. So what’s your plan to get it all done?” Blank stare. 🫤 “Mommy, I’ll just… do it.” “But when? And how?” Here’s the thing: my daughter is smart. She’s capable. She wants to hang out with her friend. But the gap between “I want to do this” and “Here’s how I’ll make it happen”? That’s the planning gap. And it’s one of the most common executive function challenges I see in kids. Today, let’s talk about Planning—one of the foundational roots of that Executive Function tree I mentioned last time. Because without strong planning skills, the tree falls. What IS Planning, Really? Planning is the ability to:
- Identify what needs to be done
- Sequence the steps in logical order
- Prioritize what’s most important
- Anticipate what you’ll need to accomplish the task
In other words, it is working with foresight, having the end goal in mind, and working backwards. It’s your brain’s way of saying, “Okay, here’s the goal. Now, how do I get there?” Think of it like planning a road trip. You wouldn’t just hop in the car and drive aimlessly, right? You’d:
- Decide on your destination
- Pack what you need
- Plan for gas stops and snacks
- Map out the route
That’s planning. And our kids need to learn to do this—not just for road trips, but for homework, projects, morning routines, cleaning their rooms, and yes, packing their backpacks. Why Planning Feels So Hard for Some Kids But if their brain can’t cue them when, how, and in what order to do these things? They’re stuck. So, How Do We Support Planning Skills? Here’s the beautiful part: planning can be taught. It’s a skill, not a talent. And like any skill, it gets stronger with practice and the right tools. Making a plan is pretty simple. The best part is that because the child was an active participant in creating the plan, it is easier for them to follow it. The skill of planning is the ability to create a plan that works for you. Some tips: 🌳Details, Details, Details!
- Think about these two plans:
- Prepare waterbottle in the fridge
- Put it in my backpack before going to the bus
- Versus:
- I take my waterbottle from my backpack
- Fill it with water to the top
- Place it on the top shelf in the fridge
- After my jacket is zipped up, I grab my backpack
- I take my waterbottle and put it in the designated pocket
- I sling my backpack over my shoulder.
- Do you realize the difference between the two plans? This exact difference is why one would always leave the waterbottle in the fridge while the other student will have cold water in school. The secret is in the details. Practice the process with all its details.
🌳Create a plan to address existing problems. ie, morning routine, yelling instead of raising their hand, studying for a test, completing a worksheet, wiping dishes. 🌳Planning prep: Introduce the idea of planning by having your student or child complete a simple, fun activity by following written directions. Refer to these directions as the plan. Here are several options:
- Make a plan for the child to show what planning involves.
- Make the plan with the child, using questions to help develop a more effective plan.
- Let the student make a plan that will not be the most effective and learn through trial and error. This teaches them to self-evaluate and adjust plans consistently. (Best for older or stronger abilities students).
Let’s keep strengthening those roots together. Warmly, Rachel Gluck P.S. — want to take a deeper dive? Check out Tera Sumpter’s Seeds of Learning Program.