Five Skills That Matter More Than Summer Worksheets Part 2: Planning Ahead
I apologize for the delay in publishing this piece. It has been an incredibly busy month filled with closing out the school year, celebrating both of my daughters’ graduations—one from high school and one from middle school—taking a quick trip to Minnesota to celebrate my bestie’s 50th birthday, welcoming a new puppy, and completing two full weeks of summer camps. It has truly been nonstop for weeks, but in the best possible way.
I also have some exciting news to share! I am preparing for an Executive Function Boot Camp workshop in August. I just completed my presentation slides and ordered the workbooks that will support the work we do during our sessions. I am thrilled to help young teens build practical tools, confidence, and strategies as they prepare to navigate a new school year. So let’s get to it…
Last week, we explored time awareness—the ability to understand how long tasks take and develop an internal sense of time. Once children begin to understand time, they are ready for the next skill: planning ahead.
Planning is the ability to think about future events, anticipate needs, and prepare before a task or activity begins. It allows children to move from simply reacting to what is happening in the moment to thinking about what will happen next. As a teacher, I've found that many student challenges aren't caused by a lack of ability. Often, students simply haven't learned how to plan ahead.
Planning Ahead: Thinking Beyond Today
Many children approach tasks one step at a time without considering what comes next.
They may:
Forget materials needed for a project
Wait until the night before to study for a test
Arrive at practice without needed equipment
Leave completed homework at home
Become overwhelmed by long-term assignments
Planning ahead helps children anticipate future needs and take action before problems arise.
Research has shown that planning skills are closely connected to executive functioning and academic success because students must learn to organize their time, materials, and responsibilities.
What This Looks Like in School
Students who struggle with planning often:
Forget homework or materials
Miss deadlines
Need frequent reminders
Start projects at the last minute
Have difficulty breaking down larger assignments
Students with stronger planning skills tend to:
Prepare materials in advance
Anticipate upcoming events
Break tasks into manageable steps
Meet deadlines more consistently
Feel less stressed when demands increase
A Note for Parents
Planning ahead doesn't come naturally to most children.
Many adults assume children should know what to bring, what to prepare, or how to manage a project. In reality, planning is a skill that develops through modeling, practice, and support.
The goal isn't perfection. The goal is helping children learn to ask themselves:
"What will I need later?"
Try This at Home
Instead of gathering everything for your child, ask:
What do you need to bring?
What might you need while you're there?
Is there anything you should pack now?
As a parent, I completely understand that it can feel easier to handle these things for your child. But when we pause and let them think it through, we give them a chance to build independence, problem-solving skills, and confidence for the long run..
Pack for Camp Together
Create a checklist and have your child gather items independently.
Afterward, ask:
"Is there anything we forgot?"
Prepare for Tomorrow Tonight
Before bed, encourage your child to:
Pack their backpack
Choose clothes
Fill a water bottle
Gather sports equipment
Check the family calendar
This simple routine helps children practice thinking ahead.
My Teacher Example
One of the most effective questions I ask students is:
"What do you need to be successful?"
Before a project, field trip, or classroom activity, we discuss what materials and preparations are needed ahead of time.
I've found that when students spend a few minutes planning before they begin, they experience fewer frustrations and need fewer reminders throughout the task.
My Mom Example
As a parent of teenagers, I try to avoid being the keeper of everyone's schedule and belongings, but sometimes I have to. especially went it comes to their doctor appointments. Instead of reminding my daughters about every upcoming responsibility, I'll often ask:
What do you have tomorrow?
What will you need?
When are you going to work on that project?
Do you have everything ready?
These questions encourage ownership and help shift the responsibility from parent to child.
Family Challenge
Choose one event this week and let your child take the lead in planning.
Ideas include:
A trip to the pool
A family outing
A playdate
A sports practice
A day camp
Have them create a list of what needs to happen beforehand and what items are needed.
A Simple Parent Tip
Instead of solving problems before your child notices them, begin asking planning questions.
Try:
What do you need?
What comes next?
What should you do today so tomorrow is easier?
Is there anything you might be forgetting?
Over time, children begin asking themselves these same questions.
That is when planning becomes a habit rather than something adults have to do for them.
Next week, we'll explore another important executive function skill: task initiation—the ability to get started, even when you don't feel like it.
