Nurturing Executive Functioning Skills in a Technology-Driven World
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, educators face the ongoing challenge of helping students develop the foundational habits essential for long-term academic and personal success. With increased technology use from an early age, many schools are seeing students struggle with core executive functioning skills, the ability to think independently, sustain attention, plan, and prioritize tasks both in school and in daily life. Compounding this issue is a noticeable decline in resilience and perseverance when students encounter tasks that don’t come easily or require sustained effort.
From its founding 57 years ago by Ms. Nell Cohen, Park Maitland School has placed a strong emphasis on cultivating these executive functioning skills. This focus remains a cornerstone of our program and a key factor in the success and confidence our students carry with them beyond our classrooms. While some schools have shifted their attention toward standardized testing and measurable outcomes, Park Maitland continues to be intentional in embedding executive functioning skill-building into all aspects of the student experience.
Whether it’s maintaining a healthy balance between technology and traditional paper-and-pencil tasks, prioritizing the use of planners and calendars to teach time and task management, or explicitly instructing students in study skills and productive habits, we provide countless opportunities for our students to practice, refine, and master these essential life skills. Our alumni often tell us how these early lessons at Park Maitland became foundational to their success in high school, college, and beyond.
I encourage all parents to prioritize nurturing these skills at home. Create daily opportunities for your children to think critically, solve problems, and learn without the aid of technology. Talk with them about their responsibilities, deadlines, and strategies for managing time effectively. Offer structure and encouragement while allowing space for independence and self-direction. Most importantly, let them experience mistakes as valuable opportunities for growth, each one building resilience, confidence, and grit.
By fostering these habits both at school and at home, we equip our children with the tools they need to thrive—not only today, but for years to come.
