Executive Functioning for Kids: Getting Started
This session includes executive functioning activities, helping students get started on a task even when it feels hard to begin. Through a short video, a discussion about taking that first step, and a quick game where they take turns naming ways to begin, they build a set of strategies they can reach for. The payoff is a clearer plan for starting tasks on their own.
Extension activity
- Skill
- Self-Regulation
- Goal
- Executive Functioning
- Grade level
- Elementary School
Get everything you need to teach the skill
These materials are part of a no-prep session designed by our clinical team, with all the structure, scaffolding, and support you need to teach included.
Engaging materials
Video lessonGetting Started
In this video lesson, learners are introduced to various strategies to help them improve their task initiation skills.
- Extension activity
Interactive Worksheet: How to Get Started
In this interactive activity, learners are given a scenario and tasked with applying an applicable strategy.
Plus everything you need to teach them
Warm-up
- Video: Hot Cocoa Breathing2:05
- Video: Daily Intention2:59
- Video: Body Squeeze2:12
Session Opener
Guiding Question: How can a person get started on a task?
Practice
- Discussion Question
- Role-Play Activity
- Mini Game
How to use it with your students
- 1Watch Play the video lesson so students see the skill in action.
- 2Practice Try the skill together with a discussion prompt, role-play, or mini game.
- 3Extend Use the extension activity to help students carry the skill further.
What's Covered
In this lesson, students learned ways to get started on a task instead of putting it off. They practiced breaking a big job into smaller first steps and naming one small thing they could do right away.
Key Terms
- Task Initiation
- Getting yourself started on a task instead of putting it off. You notice what needs doing and take the first small step to begin.
Sample IEP Goal This Session Supports
-
Executive Functioning
Given a multi-step task, learner will use at least one self-selected organizational strategy (e.g., visual planner, breaking the task into steps, visual timer) to initiate and work through the task with decreasing adult support in 4 out of 5 opportunities independently/given X prompt(s).
Send this tip home to support generalization
At home or in the classroom, when a student feels stuck before a task, try asking what the very first small step could be. Naming just one step often makes it easier to begin.
Ready to teach Getting Started?
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More Self-Regulation Activities
Frequently asked questions
Is this intervention free?
Yes, this ready-to-teach session on Getting Started is free. You can access this intervention free for 14 days through the Everyday Speech Session Library. Every user gets three free sessions, but you can get more or extend your access by sharing the Session Library with friends and colleagues.
What ages is this for?
These materials are designed for elementary school students.
What's included?
You'll get access to your choice of warm-up videos, a session opener, a core material on Getting Started, three practice prompts, and an extension activity, Interactive Worksheet: How to Get Started.
What skill does this intervention teach?
This ready-to-teach session is on self-regulation - more specifically, executive functioning.
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