Monthly Tip: Executive Functioning over the Holidays

Monthly Tip

December 2021

Executive Functioning over the Holidays: Discrete Tasks & Activities to Practice Skills in the Kitchen

The holidays are here! The travel, the meals, the stress, the fun – every part of the holiday season that pulls us from our typical daily schedule. However, straying from our normal routines does not have to mean straying away from structure all together, nor does it have to mean pausing our practice of executive functioning skills. A surefire way to incorporate executive functioning skills can be in one of the most high-trafficked rooms in the house over the holiday season: the kitchen.

The Magic of the Kitchen

Almost everything that happens in the kitchen requires organization, time management, problem solving, and working memory. We have to know where to find trash bags for the garbage and measuring cups for baking. We have to follow multi-step directions for a recipe and keep different cook times in mind. If something does not go according to plan while cooking or baking, we have to know how to substitute or improvise. And, as all parents know, we have to multitask between cooking on the stove, baking in the oven, making phone calls, and accommodating unplanned guests. The list goes on and on!

Not only is the kitchen a great place for family members to engage children of all ages with executive functioning skills, it also ensures that kiddos retain some structure while not in school. For busy parents, it can also help to lighten the holiday workload! The best approach is to delegate tasks that are discrete, or tasks that have obvious starting and ending points. In behavioral psychology, these tasks typically require one action and one identifiable, corresponding result. Some of the simplest examples of discrete tasks include reading a word, swinging a golf club, or shifting gears of a car.

Discrete tasks during the holidays can be more complex, though. For example, you could have your 12-year-olds with executive functioning challenges measure out the correct amount of ingredients for an apple pie. Navigating this process requires your children to utilize a list of ingredients, check each ingredient in the book against what is in the kitchen, use sequencing skills to move down the list, and engage their sustained attention to stay focused on the larger goal. Here are just a few benefits of how the kitchen can be a smart place to support children with executive functioning challenges:

Adding structure when there are not any set routines
Managing expectations by defining a required action and specific result
Building their confidence through completing a task and achieving a short-term goal

When delegating responsibilities in the kitchen to family members who struggle with their executive functioning skills, you will reduce your own stress and theirs by giving them discrete tasks to complete. However, the task complexity and duration should be age-appropriate. Younger children will fare better with tasks that require shorter attention spans and simpler physical and mental demands. Older children can usually handle longer, more sequenced tasks that require greater physical exertion and, most importantly, interlocking executive functioning skills.

Below are a few examples of discrete tasks that you can delegate to your family to ensure that they practice their executive functioning skills in the kitchen over the holiday break.

The Big Holiday Meal. Whether it is Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, or another festive event, at some point this season you will find yourself facing an extravagant or elaborate meal. Planning and creating the meal is a perfect opportunity for children to practice their executive functioning skills in a fun way. Some examples of discrete tasks involving the holiday meal for younger children include placing pre-cut cheeses, meats, and fruits on a charcuterie board; dressing and tossing the salad; writing the names of family members on place cards; and gathering silverware, plates, and glasses for guests. For teens and young adults, task them with food shopping or putting groceries away; setting the table; making the salad dressing; cleaning, peeling, boiling, and mashing potatoes; or gathering and washing all of the vegetables.
Baking. Those delicious holiday desserts do not bake themselves. Children of all ages tend to love this part of the meal, so engage your kiddos in this process! Here are some examples of how younger kids can add some extra sweetness to the assortment of treats: gather all of the ingredients and baking dishes; follow the steps for boxed brownies or cakes; measure out the ingredients; and place the cookie dough on the baking sheets. For teens and young adults, some challenging tasks that they can undertake are making the pie crust; activating the yeast for homemade bread; or greasing and flouring the baking dishes.
Cleaning. This tends to be an overlooked activity in the kitchen, but as any chef will tell you: clean kitchens are safe kitchens. Especially during the holidays when powdered sugar and butter take up permanent spots on your counter, cleaning is a necessary kitchen activity. For younger children, ask them to clear the table of dirty dishes; soak all of the eating and baking utensils; spray and wipe the table; and gather all of the dish towels and dinner napkins for laundry. For teens and young adults, have them pre-rinse all of the plates and load them in the dishwasher; hand-dry the dishes and put them away; sweep and mop the floor; and take out the garbage and recycling.

Final Thoughts

The kitchen is a wonderful place to gather, eat, and catch up with family over the holiday season. It can also be a great place to practice executive functioning skills, especially when our normal routines are upended. Using discrete tasks can help manage the expectations for those with executive functioning challenges and help them feel more successful. If you are interested in more holiday ideas, Thinking Organized’s Speech-Language Pathologists and Educational Mentors can provide individualized direction and support for you and your family!

TO BLOG

Executive Functioning & the Holidays

By Madeline Albertine

Holiday season is officially here! For many, the holidays mean seeing family, taking time off of school/work, and relaxing. However, it can also be a busy season for parents who want to festively decorate their home, prepare fancy meals, or buy gifts for the whole family. The amount of prepping for the holidays can feel daunting at times, but with the right amount of planning, stressful situations can be managed. One way to do this? Include your kids in the process!