When we are worried about children being messy, for example, when we are faced with scattering toys after playing or missing homework from school, the first thing we want to do is try to understand what's going on with them. It's all about executive functions.
Executive functions are the mental skills we use every day to get things done. We use them to set goals, plan how to do something, prioritize, remember things, manage our time and possessions, and finish what we start.
Some children need executive support. They find it difficult to do their schoolwork and do the things they are responsible for.
Some of these functions are more important. For example; Losing your coat, forgetting your homework, not following directions are among the functions that may come across, as well as functions such as keeping the facts in mind, solving a few step problems, figuring out what is important in what she reads, putting things in a reasonable order while writing.
How do I build organizational skills in the child?
The first thing we need to do to support organizational skills is for parents to understand how that children are disorganized?
At this point, teachers can be very helpful. Contact your teacher and find out in which areas your child struggles with order. The student's observation in the classroom by educators and the guidance service will allow them to identify what they seem to be having trouble with. Does it bring homework on a regular basis? How does she complete her task in project-based work? Does it put materials where they belong after use? What about bottom line?
Before focusing on organizational skills, there may be some issues that can make the child seem messy. These are;
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A child always forgets to turn in his homework v If he seems to be losing his or her books, it may be because he has a learning difficulty and he feels bad about doing or showing his homework to his teacher.
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In addition, she may be losing something and forgetting something because she is distracted by anxiety. And maybe it's a worry she keeps to herself because she's ashamed of it, so her teachers and parents may not know about it.
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A child may appear messy because he is unhappy, Losing interest and being indifferent to things that he cared about before may indicate this.
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A child who has had a traumatic experience may be disorganized because he feels constantly stressed.
However, if cannot see these emotional issues that may be contributing to the behavior,it is normal that your child is not able to perform their executive functions properly.
How can we support?
Especially in pre-school and primary school, helping children increase their executive function skills not only strengthens their social relations, but also enables them to develop academically.
Help.
p>Help your child to get their clothes ready for school or have their backpack ready at the door. Or show your child how to put down their toys and do it on their own. But definitely don't do it yourself. Wait patiently.
Reduce stimuli and proceed with a plan.
Create a schedule and do homework by reducing distractions in line with that schedule. If your child is having difficulty completing school tasks, get support from the school and create a plan.
Be a model.
Be a model for your child in planning ahead. Create a schedule for playtimes and other responsibilities, and encourage your child to engage in basic planning skills (such as helping her with dinner preparations, helping her prepare a gift.)
Make a rule , ensure that they take responsibility for non-compliance.
Abilities such as attention, control, time management, being organized and planning can be learned by following the rules. Children must learn that every good and bad thing they do has a consequence. This information is necessary for them to control themselves.
Try memory games.
Card games that improve memory, children's executive function abilities They are very effective tools in development. We can teach functions such as memory and recall to their brains. Memory games not only teach remembering, they also improve planning and organization. Especially teaching children to play an instrument will also work this part of their brains.
Use the question and answer method.
Self-assessment is one of the executive function abilities. Behaviors such as seeing the error and finding the wrong come from this ability. "Why are you having such a problem?" when you can't find your toy, or "What do you need to do for the next exam?" You can help her executive functions by giving her the opportunity to question herself with questions such as.
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