Free Executive Functioning Tools for Struggling Students

Are you an educator, parent, or specialist trying to help a student who seems capable but constantly forgets assignments, avoids tasks, or struggles to stay organized?

You’re not alone. 

Many students today are falling behind, not because they lack intelligence, but because they were never taught how to learn, how to plan, or how to manage their own thinking.

These are all executive functioning skills, and while they are essential for success, most schools don’t explicitly teach them.

🧠 What’s Missing in Schools?

In traditional classrooms, students are often expected to:

• Keep track of multiple assignments across subjects
• Start tasks on their own
• Regulate focus and emotions
• Prioritize their time
• Reflect on what’s working—and what isn’t

But when were they taught these skills?
In most schools, these expectations are assumed, not instructed.

Executive functions are critical to academic success, but are often overlooked in curriculum design. Students who struggle in these areas are mislabeled as lazy, careless, distracted, or unmotivated when in reality, they simply haven’t learned the tools to manage their cognition.

🎁 That’s Why I’m Sharing These Free Tools

To help close this gap, I’m offering three powerful resources, pulled directly from my Executive Functioning & Study Strategies Certification Course, so you can explore this work for yourself:

✔️ A Sample Lesson That Defines Executive Functions

Clear, video instruction that breaks down the three core executive functions and how they impact academic performance and independence.

✔️ A Printable Metacognition Self-Assessment

An easy-to-use tool that helps students reflect on how they think, plan, and process. This is the foundation of self-directed learning.

✔️ A Tech Tool Demo for Planning and Follow-Through

Watch a demonstration of one of my favorite tools for supporting students in tracking tasks, building routines, and following through.

These are not just theory-based; they are used by executive functioning coaches, educators, and parents to help learners build the brain-based skills they were never taught.

💡 Why This Matters, Now More Than Ever

Research shows that working memory is a better predictor of academic success than IQ. Yet few schools are intentionally building this skill. Even fewer are explicitly teaching students how to self-regulate, initiate tasks, or adjust strategies when things don’t go as planned.

As demands on students increase, especially in middle school, high school, and college, the cracks widen. Students with poor executive functioning aren’t just struggling academically; they’re losing confidence, avoiding challenges, and falling through the cracks.

That’s why executive functioning coaching is growing so quickly. That’s why I’ve created resources that are easy to access, research-based, and grounded in real-world success.

📬 What Happens After You Sign Up?

When you sign up for my free series, you’ll receive:

• An email series packed with insights and actionable strategies
• 3 free executive function tools
• A sneak peek at my Executive Functioning & Study Strategies Certification Course

Whether you’re a parent supporting your child at home, a teacher looking to help diverse learners, or a coach/practitioner seeking effective methods, these tools are a great place to start.

👉 Click here to grab your free executive functioning resources
and help bridge the gap between what students are expected to do and what they’ve been taught.

I look forward to getting to know you.

Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren