Adjusting the "Training Wheels" of Executive Functioning

Image: Creative Commons

Yes. I'm going to get more mileage out of this training wheels analogy. If you're new to the blog or didn't listen to the podcast from last week, check it out so you can get up to speed. 

I'm curious,  what do you think? Should both training wheels be on the ground evenly to support the child fully while they learn to balance/ride or should one wheel be lower than the other to provide support when they can't yet balance/ride on their own? 

Insert Jeopardy theme music here...

The answer is BOTH. You want to initially provide as much support as possible but begin to fade that support {adjusting the training wheels so one is higher than the other} shortly after you notice your child managing better or gaining confidence. 

So, let's put this analogy to the test with a real, live, common problem with kiddos that have Executive Functioning Difficulties...remembering their materials for school/backpack. 

• To begin, you would have a set time each night where you would help your child pack their backpack: lunch, homework {have them double check}, books, gym clothes etc... 
• Next, walk with them while they place their backpack by the door {or wherever you decide they won't miss it the next morning}. 
• Then, the next morning, you remind them and/or physically hand them their backpack before they walk out the door {have an alarm set, phone them or text them if you can't be there}. 

The above example is equivalent to having both training wheels equally on the ground. 

 When you see that your child is beating you to the things you've been working on {you see them packing their backpack themselves} or they begin to remind you about your "time" if you're a few minutes late with your nightly check in, you know they're beginning to own the task and it's time to adjust the training wheels. 
When you see this budding independence, you can encourage them to pack their backpack themselves and bring it to you for checking. After you check it,  then they can independently place it at the door. Perhaps, you continue to walk through all of the steps with them and allow them to do the last step, independently, of taking it to the door. It will vary for each child. Notice that I didn't say "once you notice your child taking on some independence- you are all set and take the training wheels off!" 

No! 

Don't take those training wheels off too soon. Just keep adjusting them { in case they teeter or totter} until they can balance on their own for quite some time. 

Until next time, keep growing and blooming...

Jen