What are executive functioning skills?
Executive function refers to a cognitive process that helps with planning, initiation of tasks, organizing, managing time, problem solving, and self-regulation. Many adults and teens with ADHD have difficulty with executive dysfunction. This translates into weak prioritization skills, time blindness, and an inability to orchestrate concurrent tasks.
Chores that Develop Executive Functioning Skills
Here’s a list of chores that can help develop executive functioning skills, with an emphasis on different cognitive skills that make up executive functioning:
Sorting Laundry
- Executive Functioning Skills: Planning, organization, working memory
- Kids must sort clothes by color, size, or type and plan out washing cycles (e.g., whites, colors).
- There are several steps to the task of laundry, so this can be a challenge for some to do the whole process. Start with just one piece, like sorting laundry. Then add washing. Then drying. Then folding. Then putting away clean laundry.
Making the Bed
- Executive Functioning Skills: Task initiation, sustained attention, sequencing
- Completing multiple steps in a sequence (pulling sheets, arranging pillows) helps build initiation and persistence. I don’t know about you but making a bed is a good chore for self-regulation skills, too. It’s frustrating to get those sheets just right!
Setting the Table
- Executive Functioning Skills: Planning, organization, working memory
- Remembering which utensils and items go where, organizing the table, and making sure all of the settings are complete.
Sweeping the Floor
- Executive Functioning Skills: Planning, sustained attention, self-monitoring
- Planning how to cover the entire area, staying focused, and checking for missed spots.
Vacuuming
- Executive Functioning Skills: Time management, self-monitoring, impulse control
- Managing time to thoroughly vacuum and avoiding rushing through the task.
Cleaning a Room
- Executive Functioning Skills: Organization, planning, sustained attention
- Deciding where to start, organizing items, and maintaining focus until the room is tidy.
Washing Dishes
- Executive Functioning Skills: Task initiation, time management, sustained attention
- Beginning the task promptly, maintaining focus until all dishes are washed, and managing time effectively. Then there is the drying of dishes and then putting away clean dishes.
Taking Out the Trash
- Executive Functioning Skills: Task initiation, working memory, time management
- Remembering to do this regularly and making sure the trash is disposed of in the correct location. This one is important because if trash isn’t taken out in time for the trash pick up, you’ll have trash building up around the home.
Feeding Pets
- Executive Functioning Skills: Planning, task initiation, self-monitoring
- Following a schedule, remembering the correct amounts, and making sure the task is done consistently and daily.
Watering Plants
- Executive Functioning Skills: Planning, organization, time management
- Following a schedule, planning the amount of water for each plant, and being consistent.
Cooking or Baking- Cooking is a great way to work on executive functioning skills!
- Executive Functioning Skills: Planning, sequencing, working memory, cognitive flexibility
- Following a recipe involves gathering ingredients, following steps, and adapting as necessary.
Folding and Putting Away Laundry
- Executive Functioning Skills: Task initiation, sustained attention, organization
- Completing the task from start to finish, folding neatly, and organizing clothes by category or person.
Cleaning Windows or Mirrors
- Executive Functioning Skills: Task initiation, sustained attention, self-monitoring
- Managing time to ensure thoroughness and checking to ensure all smudges are gone.
Organizing a Backpack or School Supplies
- Executive Functioning Skills: Planning, organization, working memory
- Making sure all of the needed materials are included, packed in an organized way, and nothing is forgotten.
Emptying the Dishwasher
- Executive Functioning Skills: Task initiation, sustained attention, working memory
- Remembering where each item goes and staying focused until all dishes are put away properly.
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