As school starts up again, you or your teen may be reflecting on last year and the struggles to complete homework. After a much-needed break, many teens return to school feeling motivated and thinking, “This is my year.” But without meaningful changes, old routines and habits may resurface. Understanding executive functioning can help explain why making those changes is sometimes harder than expected.
Executive functions are skills that we, as adults, use every day without even realizing it, and they typically don’t finish developing until we are in our 20s. Remembering appointments and deadlines, planning and prioritizing tasks, time management, emotional regulation, attentional control, and task initiation are just a few examples.
As both a teacher and therapist, I have seen how executive functioning skills impact teens in the classroom and beyond. Many teens are capable, intelligent, and motivated, but they may need support developing the skills that help them turn their intentions into action.
Task initiation is exactly what it sounds like—the ability to start a task. This can be difficult for children and teens because, while they often know what needs to be done, getting started is the hardest part. They may need to switch from a preferred activity (an after-school snack, scrolling on their phone, playing video games) to a non-preferred homework task. They may not know where to start, or they may feel uneasy about how it will go. This can feel overwhelming and lead to frustration, conflict, or refusal.
There isn’t one quick fix for task initiation. Not every strategy will work for every teen, but finding even one or two that help means you are further ahead than you were yesterday.
Ideas to try:
Body doubling – Complete your own task nearby while your teen works (laundry, emails, cooking dinner). Having someone else working on a non-preferred task can make it easier to get started.
Mini steps – Break larger tasks into smaller, achievable steps. Instead of “write an English essay,” try: open Google Classroom, read the instructions, start a document, create an outline, and write the introduction. Starting with one small step can build momentum.
Temptation bundling – Pair homework with something enjoyable. Maybe your teen listens to music while working, enjoys a favourite snack, follows her skincare routine, or uses another small reward that makes starting feel easier.
Environmental changes – Consider whether the homework environment supports success. A bedroom may seem ideal, but if it also includes gaming distractions, another location may work better. Some teens benefit from quiet check-ins rather than constant reminders.
Try the 10-minute rule – For teens who struggle to start, knowing they only need to work for 10 minutes can make the task feel less overwhelming. Often, once they overcome the hurdle of beginning, continuing feels much easier. But please give them the opportunity to stop after the 10 minutes so they know they have an ‘out’.
Task initiation is only one of many executive functioning skills. As teens’ brains continue to develop, these skills become more automatic. Executive functioning can be even more challenging for teens experiencing ADHD, anxiety, or other stressors. Understanding these skills can help parents recognize that struggles often stem from skill gaps—not a lack of effort—and find ways to provide support.
Remember, raising a child is a marathon, not a sprint. Progress often happens through small moments, small skills, and small successes. Each time your teen practices a new strategy, takes a small step forward, or learns what works for their brain, they are building skills that support their growing independence.
