10 Ways Planning Skills Drive Student Success and Academic Growth

Posted In Teaching On January 6, 2025

Planning is one of the foundational executive function skills that students need to succeed academically and in life. By incorporating planning into executive function instruction, teachers can help students organize their time, balance their responsibilities, and achieve their goals. Whether working with first graders or high school seniors, teaching planning skills equips students with tools for academic and personal success.

Here are ten reasons why planning is an essential executive function skill for student learning:

1. Remembering Assignments and Due Dates

Planning helps students keep track of assignments and deadlines, ensuring they don’t fall behind. By teaching executive function strategies like using planners, calendars, or digital tools, teachers can improve students’ performance by making it easier for them to stay organized.

2. Planning Ahead and Starting Early

One of the most common challenges students face is procrastination. Effective planning enables students to start tasks early and allocate enough time to complete them. Teaching students self-regulation and time-management strategies fosters empowerment and prevents last-minute stress.

3. Meeting Short-Term Goals

Short-term goals, such as completing homework or preparing for a quiz, are stepping stones toward larger achievements. Planning teaches students to break tasks into manageable pieces, improving their academic performance by making goals achievable and less overwhelming.

4. Following Through to Meet Deadlines

Many students struggle with starting tasks but find it even harder to finish them. Planning helps students stay focused and follow through, which is critical for developing strong executive function systems and solving executive function challenges related to task completion.

5. Achieving Long-Term Goals

Whether it’s getting into college or mastering a challenging subject, long-term goals require careful planning. Teaching students how to map out steps toward their aspirations enhances their confidence and builds essential social and life skills.

6. Estimating Time Needed for Tasks

Students often underestimate how long tasks will take, leading to incomplete work or frustration. Planning helps them develop time-estimation skills, an important aspect of executive function learning that improves students’ academic performance and reduces stress.

7. Managing Large Workloads

From juggling multiple subjects to balancing extracurricular activities, students face significant demands. Planning gives them the tools to prioritize and allocate time effectively, addressing student learning needs and enhancing engagement.

8. Preparing for Projects

Large projects can feel daunting without a clear roadmap. Planning skills teach students how to break projects into smaller tasks and set deadlines, fostering student strategies that lead to successful outcomes.

9. Balancing School, Home, and Community Activities

Today’s students often have packed schedules. Teaching planning as part of executive function lessons helps them balance academic responsibilities with home and community commitments, building their capacity for self-regulation and life management.

10. Preparing for Tests

Test preparation requires organization, time management, and focus. Planning skills ensure that students allocate enough time to study and review material effectively, boosting confidence and academic outcomes.

A group of students learning about planning skills.

Bringing Planning Into the Classroom

Integrating planning skills into your executive function curriculum doesn’t have to be complicated. Consider introducing executive functioning tools like:

• Visual aids: Use charts and calendars to help students visualize timelines.
• Digital tools: Encourage students to explore apps or software designed for task management.
• Role-playing exercises: Let students practice planning scenarios, such as organizing a class project or preparing for an exam.
• Reflection activities: Ask students to evaluate their planning successes and identify areas for growth.

By focusing on planning, you’re not just addressing student behavior management or academic challenges; you’re empowering students to take charge of their learning and lives.

Additional Resources

For more insights into teaching your students planning skills, explore the links below:

• 9 Ways to Model Planning
• Sign Up for Our Newsletter

By prioritizing planning within your executive function instruction, you can unlock your students’ potential, improve their academic performance, and set them on a path to lifelong success.