🧠 Parents, for Summer, How to build Executive Function with your child.

Alright, parents—if you want to help your child build executive function during the summertime (summer break), there are many things you can do.

Recently, in Executive Function Lab—our community of families supporting kids with executive function challenges—we focused on decluttering. One of the most effective things you can do during the summer is declutter, so we ran some decluttering workshops with both kids and parents.

I’m going to give you a quick rundown so you can do this on your own.

One powerful approach to building executive function over the summer is to complete three decluttering projects. This is exactly what we did during our session. Here was the structure:

We started with a check-in, then reviewed the process for tackling decluttering projects. After that, we did Project 1, checked in again, did Project 2, checked in again, and then completed Project 3. Finally, we created a plan for the rest of the summer.

Why is this important?

If you want to help your child build executive function, there are many options—but having a clear plan for decluttering and reorganizing is especially effective. Whether your child is in third grade or college, this process helps their brain learn how to plan, organize, categorize, and execute.

It also makes the upcoming school year much easier.

What often happens is that parents wait until fall, when the school supply list comes out. Everything becomes rushed and chaotic. The school year starts, things seem okay at first, but about six weeks in, many kids with executive function challenges hit “the dip”—missing assignments, late work, incompletes, and zeros start piling up.

But if you use the summer intentionally—thinking, “How can we build executive function?”—you can set your child up for a much smoother, more successful school year.

And these are lifelong skills.

So here’s what I recommend:

Start by doing three small decluttering projects in one day with your child. These can be digital or physical, and you can organize them by category or by area. Choose projects that are developmentally appropriate for your child’s age.

At the end of those three projects, create a plan for the rest of the summer.

If you do this well, your child will likely walk away thinking:
“Wow, I feel better.”
“This wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
“This was kind of fun.”
“I feel more organized.”

Kids often feel a sense of relief when structure is introduced—even if they resist it at first. If you can involve them in the process and give them ownership, it becomes much more meaningful and rewarding.

Also, don’t forget to celebrate.

After our workshop, I encouraged families to do something fun together—something completely unrelated to decluttering or school. Celebration matters. It reinforces the effort and builds connection.

Next, create a summer plan for additional decluttering projects.

Will you follow the plan perfectly? Of course not—and that’s okay. It will still be far better than having no plan at all. Just map out small projects you can work on throughout the summer.

I recommend getting a large, simple wall calendar and writing down when you’ll do what I call “micro-projects” (small tasks) or larger overhauls.

One important note: decluttering always goes hand in hand with reorganizing.

Decluttering alone isn’t enough. Our kids need systems and habits—and systems are what make habits sustainable.
Decluttering helps remove what’s not working. It clears out the clutter so you’re left with what matters. But then you have to reorganize those items into systems that make sense.

This means creating “homes” for things—school supplies, electronics, sports gear, hobby materials, clothes, and more. Kids use their executive function to decide where things belong.

If we don’t build systems, the same patterns will repeat. But when we create systems and support better habits, life becomes easier for them—and they can achieve their goals, build confidence, and create more opportunities for themselves.

Executive function skills are the key to that.

So, to recap:
• Do three micro decluttering projects in one day
• Create a plan for the rest of the summer
• Celebrate your progress
• Follow through on your plan
If you do this, you will help your child in so many ways.

I hope this helps.
My name is Seth Perler with SethPerler.com and ExecutiveFunctionSummit.com—we have a free summit coming up with amazing experts. You can also join Executive Function Lab, our community of supportive families.

I wish you peace in your heart, joy, and—most importantly—connection with the people you care about, especially the kids in your life.

Take care.