Imagine sitting down with a student who can’t seem to keep their focus or stay organized. You’ve tried everything—from gentle reminders to structured routines—but something just isn’t clicking. Sound familiar? If you’re a school counselor working with children, particularly those with ADHD, you’ve likely seen how executive functioning challenges can derail even the most well-intentioned students. Whether it’s difficulty managing time, controlling impulses, or organizing tasks, these roadblocks can turn everyday activities into overwhelming struggles.
But what if you had a toolkit that made navigating these challenges easier—not just for your students, but for you, too? That’s where a structured approach to building executive functioning skills comes in. This 12-week curriculum is designed specifically for school counselors like you, who are looking for practical, easy-to-use resources to guide students through these hurdles.
Over the next 12 weeks, you’ll be able to provide targeted support, focusing on one executive function at a time, with tools and worksheets that make each session meaningful and impactful. No need to reinvent the wheel or spend hours searching for the right activities. This curriculum does the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what you do best: helping your students succeed.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the 12-week plan, covering everything from self-control to time management, and show you how the accompanying worksheets can simplify your workload while delivering measurable results. Whether you’re working one-on-one or with groups, this plan offers a structured path to real progress.
So, are you ready to see how these tools can transform your sessions and help your students thrive? Let’s dive in.
Week 1: Executive Functioning
Introduction to Executive Functioning
The first week of the curriculum is all about laying the foundation. Students need to understand what executive functioning is before they can begin developing the skills necessary to improve it. This week’s goal is to introduce the concept of executive functioning in a way that resonates with children. Think of it as setting the stage for the journey ahead.
Importance of Executive Functioning
Executive functioning can be a tricky concept for students to grasp, especially younger children. However, framing it as a set of "superpowers" that help them with everyday tasks—like focusing in class, following instructions, or organizing their homework—makes it more relatable. This week, you’ll explain that executive functioning skills are like mental tools they can sharpen to become more successful both inside and outside the classroom.
Practical Tools for Executive Functioning
The worksheet for this week acts as a visual aid to break down executive functioning into easy-to-understand categories. It introduces key concepts, like self-control, organization, and time management, in simple terms. Activities such as identifying personal strengths and areas for growth help students become more self-aware, setting the tone for the rest of the curriculum.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students should have a basic understanding of executive
functioning and how these skills impact their daily lives. They’ll leave this session with an awareness of what areas they personally struggle with and how developing these skills will help them in school, friendships, and even at home.
Value of the Worksheet
While you can introduce executive functioning through discussion or icebreakers like “Name That Superpower,” the worksheets offer an essential structure that helps students visualize the concept and reflect on their own abilities. The workbook gives students the clarity they need and gives you, the counselor, a straightforward tool to guide the discussion effectively.
Week 2: Self-Control
Introduction to Self-Control
After establishing a foundation in executive functioning, Week 2 shifts the focus to one of the most critical skills: self-control. Many children, particularly those with ADHD, struggle to regulate their impulses and emotions, leading to disruptions in their academic performance and social interactions. This week is all about helping students understand and practice the power of self-control.
Importance of Self-Control
Self-control is the ability to manage impulses, stay calm under pressure, and think before acting. This week’s goal is to help students recognize their impulses and learn practical coping strategies to manage them. By mastering self-control, students gain the ability to pause, reflect, and make more thoughtful decisions—a key skill for both academic success and social harmony.
Practical Tools for Self-Control
The worksheets provided for self-control introduces reflective exercises that help students identify situations where they struggle with impulsivity. Through activities like deep breathing exercises, positive self-talk, and “What Would You Do?” scenarios, students practice responding calmly in challenging situations. The worksheet also includes guided reflection questions, encouraging students to think about past moments where better self-control could have improved the outcome.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students should have a clear understanding of what self-control is and why it’s important. They will also walk away with specific coping strategies to use when they feel their impulses rising. Whether it's counting to 10, taking deep breaths, or pausing to reflect, these tools will help students manage their emotions and reactions, both in the classroom and at home.
Value of the Worksheet
While basic exercises like “Red Light, Green Light” or simple discussions on controlling emotions can be done without the workbook, the worksheets provide a structured approach that turns theory into practice. It breaks down self-control into manageable, teachable moments and provides a way for students to track their progress, which is harder to do without the product’s guidance.
Week 3: Self-Monitoring
Introduction to Self-Monitoring
With self-control under their belts, students are now ready to work on self-monitoring, another key executive functioning skill. Self-monitoring is all about becoming more aware of one’s own behavior, performance, and progress. This week focuses on helping students develop the ability to assess how they are doing and make adjustments as needed.
Importance of Self-Monitoring
Self-monitoring empowers students to take ownership of their actions and progress. Whether it’s tracking their behavior in class or reflecting on their personal goals, this skill helps students recognize when they’re on the right track—and when they need to make changes. For many children with ADHD, the ability to self-monitor can be a game changer in building self-awareness and independence.
Practical Tools for Self-Monitoring
The worksheet for this week provides a practical tool to guide students through setting personal goals and tracking their behavior over time. It includes reflection prompts such as “What did I do well today?” and “What could I improve?” Students also complete activities like a self-monitoring challenge where they track their behaviors for a week, reflecting on their successes and areas of difficulty.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students should have a stronger understanding of their own behaviors and how to adjust them for better outcomes. They’ll leave this session with practical strategies for self-reflection, goal-setting, and monitoring their own progress, which can lead to improvements in both academic performance and personal development.
Value of the Worksheet
Although self-monitoring can be introduced through simple discussions or role-playing scenarios, the worksheets are invaluable in helping students track their behaviors over time and reflect on their progress. The structured nature of the worksheet ensures that self-monitoring isn’t just a concept discussed in passing but an active, ongoing practice that students can engage with in a meaningful way.
Week 4: Time Management
Introduction to Time Management
By Week 4, students are ready to tackle time management—one of the most practical and essential executive functioning skills. For children, especially those with ADHD, managing time effectively can be challenging, leading to missed deadlines and feelings of overwhelm. This week focuses on providing tools to help students organize their time, break down tasks, and avoid procrastination.
Importance of Time Management
Time management is the ability to plan and control how much time to spend on specific tasks. Teaching students how to manage their time helps them reduce stress, prioritize their work, and complete tasks on time. For many students, mastering this skill leads to a sense of accomplishment and improved academic performance.
Practical Tools for Time Management
The worksheet for this week introduces tools such as calendars and to-do lists, helping students break tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. Students learn how to prioritize assignments, schedule their work, and set deadlines. Activities include planning out their week and setting achievable goals, while reflection questions guide them to assess how well they used their time and what adjustments they can make.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students will have learned how to organize their time more effectively. They’ll be able to break large tasks into smaller steps, create schedules, and avoid procrastination. These time management strategies help students not only complete schoolwork more efficiently but also feel less overwhelmed by their workload.
Value of the Worksheet
While counselors can introduce time management techniques without the sheets—using discussions about prioritizing tasks or role-playing scenarios—the worksheets provide a tangible, step-by-step process that helps students internalize these concepts. The calendars and task lists in the worksheet offer practical, ready-to-use tools that make implementing time management strategies more effective.
Week 5: Working Memory
Introduction to Working Memory
Week 5 centers around working memory, which is critical for students to hold and manipulate information in their minds as they complete tasks. This skill is essential for everything from following multi-step instructions to solving complex problems. Students with ADHD often struggle with working memory, making it difficult for them to retain information long enough to use it effectively.
Importance of Working Memory
Working memory helps students remember instructions, keep track of tasks, and follow through on assignments without getting lost or distracted. The goal for this week is to introduce strategies that strengthen working memory and make it easier for students to retain and apply information, both in school and in their daily lives.
Practical Tools for Working Memory
The worksheet for this week includes exercises that encourage students to practice retention techniques like repetition, visualization, and association. For example, students might be asked to remember a list of items and use visualization to help them recall the order later. Reflection questions prompt students to think about how they’ve used their working memory during the week and where they can improve.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students should have a better understanding of how to use and improve their working memory. They will leave the session with practical strategies, such as using repetition or visualization to recall information, which can be applied to tasks like remembering homework instructions or completing multi-step projects.
Value of the Worksheet
While you can introduce working memory concepts through games like "Memory Match" or verbal exercises, the worksheet provides structured activities that target working memory improvement. The product’s guided exercises give students hands-on practice, making it easier for them to develop this crucial skill in a focused way.
Week 6: Organization
Introduction to Organization
At the halfway point in the curriculum, Week 6 focuses on organization—one of the most foundational skills for academic success. Many students, particularly those with ADHD, struggle with keeping their schoolwork, tasks, and personal space organized. This week’s goal is to help students develop strategies for managing both their physical environment and their mental approach to tasks.
Importance of Organization
Organization is key to keeping track of responsibilities and reducing the stress that comes from clutter and disorder. Whether it’s maintaining a tidy workspace or systematically tackling assignments, strong organization skills help students stay focused and productive. This week’s activities aim to teach students how to break tasks into steps, categorize information, and maintain order in their work and personal life.
Practical Tools for Organization
The worksheet for this week provides tools like checklists, task breakdowns, and scheduling templates to help students visualize and practice staying organized. One of the activities might involve organizing a “cluttered” desk on paper, where students have to decide what stays and what goes. Reflection exercises guide them to think about how staying organized can make their school day smoother and less overwhelming.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students will have a clear understanding of how organization can help them manage their schoolwork and personal tasks. They will be able to create checklists, use scheduling tools, and maintain an orderly workspace, which can lead to greater efficiency and focus in their daily routines.
Value of the Worksheet
While you can introduce basic organizational strategies without the product—such as decluttering activities or verbal instructions—the worksheet offers concrete tools to help students practice these strategies. The guided checklists and task templates in the product provide structured support that helps students systematically improve their organizational skills over time.
Week 7: Flexibility
Introduction to Flexibility
In Week 7, the focus shifts to flexibility—an essential skill for adapting to changes and dealing with unexpected challenges. Students, especially those with ADHD, often struggle with transitions and disruptions in their routines. This week’s goal is to help them develop strategies to stay calm and adaptable when things don’t go according to plan.
Importance of Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability to shift gears and adapt to new situations without becoming overwhelmed or frustrated. This skill is important not only for managing day-to-day changes, like a new classroom routine, but also for long-term success in handling life's inevitable ups and downs. Week 7 encourages students to practice problem-solving and develop alternative plans when faced with obstacles.
Practical Tools for Flexibility
The worksheet for flexibility introduces scenarios where students are asked to come up with “Plan B” solutions. For example, if a student’s favorite class is canceled or their project isn’t going as expected, they can use the worksheet to practice thinking of alternative approaches. Reflection prompts guide them to think about times when they’ve struggled with change and how they can improve their responses in the future.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students should have a better understanding of how to remain calm and flexible in the face of change. They will develop strategies to deal with unexpected situations, both in the classroom and in their personal lives, which will help reduce anxiety and improve their problem-solving skills.
Value of the Worksheet
While you can introduce the concept of flexibility through role-playing games like "Telephone" or simple verbal exercises, the worksheet provides a structured approach to help students think through and practice alternative plans. The scenarios and reflection activities give students hands-on experience in developing flexible thinking, which is harder to achieve without the product’s detailed exercises.
Week 8: Task Initiation
Introduction to Task Initiation
In Week 8, the focus is on task initiation—helping students overcome procrastination and develop the ability to start tasks independently. For many students, especially those with ADHD, getting started on a task can be one of the biggest hurdles. This week’s activities are designed to give students strategies to begin tasks without delay and feel confident in their ability to make progress.
Importance of Task Initiation
Task initiation is the ability to start a task or activity without procrastination. Students often find the idea of starting a project, homework, or even simple tasks overwhelming, which leads to avoidance and last-minute stress. This week’s goal is to equip students with practical tools to break the cycle of procrastination and confidently start tasks on their own.
Practical Tools for Task Initiation
The worksheet for this week includes activities such as breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Students are guided to set small, achievable goals that make starting a task feel less daunting. Reflection prompts encourage students to think about how they’ve approached tasks in the past, what obstacles they’ve faced, and how they can overcome these challenges in the future.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students should have a clearer understanding of how to begin tasks without procrastination. They will leave with specific strategies for breaking tasks down into smaller steps, setting achievable goals, and developing the confidence to start tasks right away. These skills will help students manage their academic workload and other responsibilities more effectively.
Value of the Worksheet
While you can introduce task initiation strategies without the product—such as goal-setting discussions or motivational exercises—the worksheets provide a structured process for breaking tasks into steps and setting goals. The product helps students build a habit of starting tasks confidently by offering concrete tools to guide them through the process.
Week 9: Emotional Control
Introduction to Emotional Control
In Week 9, the curriculum turns its focus to emotional control, an essential skill for managing intense feelings and responding to situations calmly. For students with ADHD, handling emotions like frustration, anger, or anxiety can be especially challenging. This week is designed to help students develop strategies for staying in control of their emotions and making thoughtful decisions, even in difficult moments.
Importance of Emotional Control
Emotional control involves managing one’s feelings in a way that allows for rational responses instead of impulsive reactions. This skill is crucial for students to navigate both academic and social situations without being overwhelmed by their emotions. Week 9 encourages students to understand their emotional triggers and equips them with techniques to manage these emotions constructively.
Practical Tools for Emotional Control
The worksheet for emotional control provides guided exercises to help students practice calming techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. Students are prompted to reflect on scenarios where they’ve struggled with emotional control and think about how they can apply these techniques in real-life situations. Additionally, they engage in activities like “Feelings Charades” to help identify and discuss emotions in a safe, supportive setting.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students will have learned practical strategies for managing their emotions, such as using deep breathing or pausing before reacting to a stressful situation. They will be better equipped to handle frustrating or anxiety-inducing situations, both in school and in their personal lives, leading to improved behavior and emotional well-being.
Value of the Worksheet
While discussions on emotional control or role-playing activities can be done without the product, the worksheets offer a structured way for students to reflect on their emotions and practice coping strategies. The guided exercises help students internalize these skills and make emotional regulation more tangible and actionable.
Week 10: Review and Practice
Introduction to Review and Practice
Week 10 serves as a pivotal moment in the curriculum, where students have the chance to review all the skills they’ve learned so far and practice applying them in a more integrated way. This week’s focus is on reinforcing the executive functioning skills introduced in previous weeks—self-control, organization, flexibility, and more—through reflection and practical application.
Importance of Review and Practice
The goal of this week is to provide students with an opportunity to revisit and strengthen their understanding of each executive function skill. By reviewing, reflecting, and practicing, students can see how these skills connect and how they’ve made progress. It also allows counselors to address any areas where students may need additional support or clarification.
Practical Tools for Review and Practice
The worksheet for this week offers a series of practice exercises that encompass all the executive functioning skills covered in the previous weeks. Students work through scenarios that require them to use multiple skills at once, such as planning a project (using time management and organization) or resolving a conflict (using self-control and emotional regulation). Reflection prompts guide students to think about their growth and identify which skills they feel confident in and which still need improvement.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students will have a clearer understanding of how far they’ve come in developing their executive functioning skills. They’ll also gain more confidence in applying these skills in real-life situations, from academic tasks to personal challenges. The review and practice week helps solidify their learning, ensuring that these skills are more deeply ingrained as they move forward.
Value of the Worksheet
While reviewing the material can be done without the product, the worksheets provide structured practice opportunities that ensure a comprehensive review. The scenarios and reflective exercises in the product give students a practical way to apply the skills they've learned, making it easier for them to integrate these concepts into their daily routines.
Week 11: Reflection and Practice
Introduction to Reflection and Practice
As the curriculum draws closer to its conclusion, Week 11 is all about deep reflection and continued practice. After spending 10 weeks building and applying various executive functioning skills, students now have the opportunity to step back and reflect on their personal growth. This week helps solidify the connection between learning and real-life application, ensuring that these skills become lasting habits.
Importance of Reflection and Practice
The goal of this week is to encourage students to reflect on the progress they’ve made throughout the program. This includes considering how their executive functioning skills have improved and how those improvements have positively impacted their daily lives. This reflection helps students internalize the lessons learned, making them more likely to use these skills long-term. It also provides counselors with insight into areas that may need additional reinforcement.
Practical Tools for Reflection and Practice
The worksheet for Week 11 includes guided reflection prompts that encourage students to evaluate their journey. They are asked questions like “Which executive functioning skill do you feel you’ve improved the most?” and “What was your biggest challenge during this program?” These questions help students identify which strategies worked best for them and where they still struggle. In addition, the worksheet offers practical exercises to keep students practicing and refining their skills, reinforcing their application in real-world situations.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students should have a deeper understanding of how far they’ve come in developing their executive functioning abilities. They will gain valuable insight into their strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for ongoing improvement. Reflection at this stage ensures that the skills are not just momentary gains but sustainable habits.
Value of the Worksheet
While counselors can guide a reflective discussion without the product, the worksheet offers a structured way to help students think critically about their growth. The reflection prompts and practice activities ensure that students get a well-rounded view of their progress, making it easier to pinpoint both successes and areas for further development.
Week 12: Putting It All Together
Introduction to Putting It All Together
In the final week of the curriculum, Week 12 focuses on synthesizing all the executive functioning skills students have learned over the past 11 weeks. This week is about demonstrating mastery of these skills by applying them in a comprehensive, integrated way. The goal is to show students how all these executive functions work together to help them navigate challenges in both academic and personal contexts.
Importance of Putting It All Together
The objective for this week is to help students recognize how each of the skills they’ve developed—self-control, organization, task initiation, and more—interact to create a well-rounded set of tools they can use in everyday life. This week encourages students to bring everything together, ensuring they feel confident in their abilities to independently use these skills in a variety of situations. It also reinforces the importance of practicing these skills long after the program ends.
Practical Tools for Putting It All Together
The worksheet for this week serves as a final challenge, where students are presented with complex scenarios that require the use of multiple executive functioning skills. For example, they may have to organize a project, manage their time, monitor their progress, and control their emotions all at once. These activities encourage students to apply everything they’ve learned in a meaningful way, preparing them for real-world situations. Additionally, the worksheet includes space for students to reflect on how these skills will continue to support their success in the future.
Outcomes of the Week
By the end of this week, students will feel a sense of accomplishment as they demonstrate their ability to use executive functioning skills fluidly and effectively. They will have a clear understanding of how these skills complement each other and how they can rely on them to succeed in school, social situations, and beyond. This final week provides a capstone experience, ensuring that students leave the program with a strong grasp of the skills they need to thrive.
Value of the Worksheet
Although counselors can facilitate discussions and role-playing scenarios to integrate these skills without the product, the worksheet provides a comprehensive, structured approach to the final integration of all the skills. The scenarios presented in the worksheet offer realistic, multi-step challenges that require students to use everything they’ve learned, making this week’s activities more impactful.
Over the course of this 12-week curriculum, you’ve guided your students through an essential journey of self-discovery, learning, and growth. Each week has focused on building a different executive functioning skill—skills that are critical for academic success, emotional regulation, and overall life management, particularly for students with ADHD. From self-control and time management to flexibility and emotional regulation, your students have been equipped with tools that will benefit them well beyond the classroom.
By now, you’ve seen firsthand how these executive functioning skills come together to form a solid foundation for your students. The worksheets and structured exercises have provided practical ways for students to not only understand these skills but to practice and apply them in their daily lives. The curriculum has made it easier for you, as a school counselor, to provide meaningful, targeted support without having to spend hours creating your own materials.
One of the standout features of this curriculum has been its ease of use. The worksheets, clearly defined activities, and reflection prompts have simplified the process for both you and your students. Whether you were working one-on-one or with a group, the curriculum was designed to make implementing these executive functioning strategies as seamless as possible, ensuring that your students were engaged and consistently building on their progress.
More importantly, the outcomes speak for themselves. Your students have not only learned critical skills but have also gained the confidence and independence needed to apply them in various aspects of their lives. These are lifelong tools that will help them stay organized, manage their emotions, and tackle new challenges with resilience.
If you haven’t already explored the full set of resources, now is the time to dive deeper into the Executive Functioning Worksheets & Curriculum Plan for Children. This comprehensive tool is designed to simplify your job as a counselor while delivering real, measurable results for your students. To learn more about how these tools can support your work, and to access additional materials, click here for more information.
Gentle Observation: As a fellow school counselor, I know how overwhelming it can feel to juggle the needs of so many students, especially when they struggle with executive functioning challenges like ADHD. We’ve all had those moments when we’re searching for the right tool to reach a child who just can’t seem to stay organized, manage their emotions, or follow through on tasks. What I love about this curriculum is that it gives us, as professionals, something tangible and practical to work with. It takes some of the guesswork out of our sessions and provides a clear path for helping our students succeed—not just in the classroom but in life.
The best part? Watching those small breakthroughs when a student finally takes charge of their time or confidently starts a task on their own. Those moments remind me why we do what we do. These worksheets and activities don’t just make our jobs easier—they make them more rewarding. And as we support our students, we’re helping to equip them with skills they’ll carry with them for years to come. It’s not just about worksheets; it’s about empowering our kids to believe in their abilities.
We’ve got a tough job, but with the right tools, we can make a lasting impact. And that’s something worth celebrating.
Jemma (Gentle Observations Team)
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