Losing Homework? Try These 5 Routines + Executive Functioning Tutoring and Homework Support
- AES
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
It’s back-to-school season—and for many families, that means the return of missing assignments, forgotten folders, and last-minute project panic. If this sounds familiar, your child might be struggling with executive functioning.
That’s where routines—and sometimes executive functioning tutoring and homework support—can make a real difference. In this post, we’ll break down what executive functioning really is and share five practical strategies to help students stay organized, focused, and confident.
What Is Executive Functioning? (And Why It Matters)
Think about a typical Tuesday. You’re juggling a work deadline, a doctor’s appointment, making sure the kids have their sports gear, remembering what’s for dinner, and trying to find the keys you swear were on the counter. You rely on your calendar, a mental checklist, and a strong cup of coffee to manage it all.
That internal project manager inside your head? That’s executive functioning. It’s the set of skills that helps you prioritize, plan, organize, and get things done.
Now imagine your child’s project manager is still learning on the job. The same Tuesday that’s a struggle for you is often an overwhelming disaster for them. That’s why homework gets lost, projects feel impossible, and routines fall apart.
The Problem: Back-to-School Chaos Meets Underdeveloped Skills
Students with executive functioning challenges often:
Forget assignments or leave them unfinished
Struggle to start tasks without constant prompting
Get overwhelmed by multi-step directions
Lose track of time or materials
Feel anxious or defeated before they even begin
And when school ramps up, these challenges can snowball fast.
The Solution: 5 Routines That Actually Help
Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or just seems scattered, these routines can make a big difference:
1. Visual Schedules
Use a whiteboard, sticky notes, or digital planner to map out daily tasks. Seeing the day laid out reduces anxiety and builds independence.
2. Backpack Checkpoints
Create a daily habit of checking folders, planners, and supply bags together. Make it part of the evening wind-down or morning routine.
3. Chunking Big Tasks
Break assignments into smaller, manageable steps. Use timers or “work then break” cycles to keep momentum going.
4. Designated Homework Zones
Set up a consistent workspace that’s free of distractions. Bonus points for having supplies within reach and a checklist nearby.
5. Structured Support Systems
Some students need more than routines—they need coaching. That’s where structured support comes in.
Options include:
Executive Functioning Tutoring: Personalized sessions that teach planning, organization, and time management skills.
Homework Help Spaces: Whether it’s a quiet library corner, a peer study group, or a virtual support room, having a consistent place to work with guidance can be a game-changer.
AES Services: At Archimedes Educational Services, we offer both executive functioning tutoring and our Virtual Homework Café — an online space where students get real-time support from certified educators. It’s designed to build independence while reducing stress.
These supports aren’t about doing the work for your child—they’re about helping them learn how to do it.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back to stress. With the right routines—and the right support—students can thrive, even with executive functioning challenges.
Want to explore tutoring or homework support options that fit your child’s needs? AES offers flexible, empathetic solutions. Learn more here.
Your piece on back-to-school routines unfolded like a personal story of a student stepping into a new chapter: the alarm rings, the backpack zips, the list of tasks builds quietly in the morning light. It reminded me of Ranked Design not just charts and checklists, but crafting a day with intention so that every small habit becomes a building block of something larger.
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