With a strong foundation the sky’s the limit

At Back-to-School Night last week, an engineering challenge asked parents to build a structure from paper, masking tape, and a handful of odd materials that could hold two 10-lb circular weights. The winning designs had one thing in common: they all had a strong foundation.

September’s Tips were all about laying that same kind of foundation for the school year by strengthening executive function skills.

September 2: Homework Routines → Establishing structure and predictability builds independence and lowers stress.

September 9: Sunday Previews → Looking ahead transforms Sunday dread into calm confidence.

September 16: Weekly Resets → Clearing clutter and restocking keeps students organized and feeling calm, prepared, and in control. 

September 23: Sleep Routines → Enough sleep strengthens focus, memory, and self-regulation.

September 30: Checking in for a Tune-Up → Checking portals, breaking down tasks, and studying smarter can help correct early wobbles.

Each of these strategies may look simple on its own, but together they create a solid executive function base that can support heavier challenges as the year unfolds. Just like that paper structure from engineering class, the more stable the foundation, the higher your child can build with confidence and independence.