Ever forget where you left your homework? Or open your laptop to start an assignment but end up scrolling on YouTube or TikTok for thirty minutes? You are not alone. And there is science behind it. This challenge is called executive functioning, which includes skills like focus, planning, memory, and self-control.PDS is on a mission to help us master these skills.
At PDS, the Upper and Middle School Learning Support team is addressing this issue head-on. Dr. Dawson, a psychologist and director of counseling, oversees learning support from pre-K through Grade 12, and Mrs. Zaneta Chambers, a dedicated learning specialist for Middle and Upper School, launched a new initiative focused on building executive functioning skills that many students do not even realize they need.
Executive functioning is a set of mental skills that include the ability to start tasks, manage time, stay organized, and focus attention. “They are often called the ‘CEO of the brain,” Dr. Dawson said, because they help students manage everything from homework to extracurriculars, and even their social lives. The impact extends far beyond academics. Dr. Dawson shared her insight: “Executive functioning skills contribute more to academic success than intelligence and IQ.”
Mrs. Chambers pointed out that social media and online distractions are making it harder for students to concentrate, “The biggest problem with social media use is that it takes away their ability to attend deeply since the algorithms are designed to make people more attracted to these apps, degrading attention span.” As a result, students are struggling to stay engaged in the tasks because of constant digital distraction.
In response to these challenges, the Learning Support team launched “Lunch & Learn” sessions this year. These informal workshops were designed to help students develop skills like time management, organization, and digital focus. However, despite the relevance of the topics, attendance was low, likely because lunch is already a packed thirty-minute window for eating and socializing, and even studying. Some students might believe they are “too busy” to attend an extra session or think they do not need help because they are doing well with their classes. But Dr. Dawson and Mrs. Chambers argued that executive functioning is for everyone. “Everyone has systems that they utilize to navigate the day, and it’s important for adolescents to evaluate these systems.” They encourage students to pause and reflect: Are your current strategies working? Are you staying ahead, or just barely keeping up?
The entire school is prioritizing the development of learning skills, including executive functioning. The team is collaborating with the Head of Upper School Ms. O’Shaughnessey, the class deans, and department chairs to explore ways to integrate these skills across the curriculum. Plans are in the works to integrate executive functioning lessons into advisory periods, create online resources, and build more regular discussions into the school day. Orientation sessions for the ninth graders already include some executive functioning tools, and students can also seek one-to-one help from the learning specialists throughout the year. Parents are part of the solution too. PDS occasionally invites experts to speak with families about how to support their children’s learning habits at home, reinforcing what is taught in school. Most importantly, students are encouraged to speak up. If you are feeling overwhelmed, the first step is talking to a trusted adult—a teacher, advisor, counselor, or parent. “Students aren’t expected to be experts in everything,” Dr. Dawson said. “It is fine to ask. Asking for help leads to growth.” One small habit students can start today is “getting sufficient sleep.” Dr. Dawson suggests, “(It) can make a big difference in their executive functioning. Improving time management skills can help with getting work done and even with getting enough sleep so that you can learn optimally.”
As PDS continues to develop multi-faceted approaches to student support, the Learning Support team is determined to embed executive functioning strategies into the culture of the school. Because learning how to learn, organize, focus, and adapt is the kind of success that lasts a lifetime.
