Field notes for parents
Thinking we share publicly — about executive functioning, ADHD, autism, coaching, and what we see work in our practice. New posts go up when there's something worth saying.
Podcast Snippets: Moving Towards Student-Led Solutions
By Monica McGuire, Director of Communications, Russell CoachingAs parents, we often have set ideas of the best way for our child to do things or to relate to the world. If we are extroverted, we may e...
Music and ADHD: Creating a Music Playlist to Improve Student Focus
<p class="">Does your student love listening to music while studying? New research shows they may be on the right track. </p>
Self-Awareness (A Social-Emotional Skill)
<p class="">This week we are exploring the importance of self-awareness. When your student is self-aware, they can recognize their emotions, values, strengths, and challenges.</p>
Responsible Decision-Making (A Social-Emotional Skill)
<p class="">Responsible decision-making is a social-emotional skill that calls upon one’s ability to make ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behavior. </p>
Helping your Student Develop Metacognition (An Executive Function Skill)
<p class="">This week’s executive function skill is metacognition. Metacognition is the ability to reflect on one’s own learning.</p>
Helping your Student Develop Flexibility (An Executive Function Skill)
<p class="">This week’s executive function skill is flexibility. Flexibility is the ability to change one’s behavior to do what is expected and acceptable.</p>
Helping your Student Develop Goal-Directed Persistence (An Executive Function Skill)
<p class="">This week’s executive function skill is goal-directed persistence. Goal-directed persistence helps us push through to complete a task, even when we are engaged in tasks we don’t enjoy.</p>
Helping your Student Stay Organized (An Executive Function Skill)
<p class="">This week’s executive function skill is organization. This is your student’s ability to keep their belongings organized, tidy, clean, and in good shape.</p>
Helping your Student Plan and Prioritize (An Executive Function Skill)
<p class="">This week’s executive function skill is planning and prioritizing. These skills call on your student’s ability to determine what is important and what isn’t.</p>
Helping your Student with Task Initiation (An Executive Function Skill)
<p class="">This week’s executive functioning skill is task initiation. Task initiation is the ability to get started on a task, especially a task you don’t want to do.</p>
Helping your Student Build Sustained Attention (An Executive Function Skill)
<p class="">This week’s executive functioning skill is sustained attention. Sustained attention is the ability to pay attention even when you are feeling distracted or bored.</p>
Helping your Student Build their Emotional Control (An Executive Function Skill)
<p class="">Emotional control is the ability to control your response to a disruptive emotion in order to stay focused on the task at hand. Disruptive emotions are any emotions that interfere with your ability to do what you need to do.</p>