18 Ways an Executive Functioning Coach Builds Your Child’s Confidence

CNN reports that 93% of parents believe their children get enough social and emotional support. However, only 59% of teens feel the same way.

This gap can lead to low confidence and self-esteem. Parents often think they’re doing enough, but some struggles stay hidden. Kids may not know how to express their needs–or may not try.

An executive functioning coach can help bridge that gap. But how exactly do they help?

As a parent, you might be skeptical. Does coaching really work? That’s a fair question.

You want real results, not empty promises. Let’s explore 18 ways an executive functioning coach can help kids build confidence.

1. Teaching Time Management Skills

Most teens struggle with time management. They rely on teachers and parents to keep them on track.

Without guidance, meeting deadlines feels impossible. Many wait until the last minute to start assignments.

They rush through work and feel stressed. Poor time management leads to lower grades and lost confidence. Teens need to learn how to plan their time.

An executive functioning coach teaches them how to set schedules and stick to them. They learn to break tasks into smaller steps. Planning skills help them complete work on time.

With better time management, teens can balance school and life. They feel more in control. Confidence grows when they meet deadlines without stress.

2. Improving Organizational Skills

Most 8th graders struggle with organization. They often have trouble with:

• Keeping their rooms clean
• Tracking homework and assignments
• Finding school supplies when needed
• Remembering important dates and deadlines
• Packing their backpacks with everything needed for the day

As a parent, you may not know how to help. A stern approach rarely works. You might remind your child daily to clean their room, yet they still avoid it.

Teens resist because organizing feels overwhelming. They don’t know where to start.

An executive functioning coach teaches simple systems to stay organized. Kids learn step-by-step methods that make life easier.

A better organization builds independence. It also plays a key role in supporting child development and self-confidence.

3. Enhancing Emotional Regulation

Adolescence brings insecurity. Most kids feel unsure about themselves as their bodies change.

Boys grow taller, develop muscles, and their voices deepen. Some feel awkward adjusting to these changes.

Girls experience physical growth, hormonal shifts, and emotional ups and downs. Many feel self-conscious.

These changes affect emotions and confidence. Talking to parents feels uncomfortable. Your child may avoid deep conversations.

Forcing them to open up can push them away. Coaching provides a safe space to talk and learn coping skills.

With the right support, kids can manage emotions better. Over time, these skills boost self-esteem in kids, helping them feel more secure.

4. Strengthening Problem-Solving Abilities

Many kids struggle with solving problems on their own. They often feel stuck and frustrated.

Some give up quickly when faced with challenges. Others rely too much on parents or teachers for answers. Sadly, this can make them feel helpless and unsure of their abilities.

Coaching teaches children how to break problems into smaller steps. They learn to think critically, explore solutions, and confidently make decisions.

Over time, they become more independent and trust their judgment. Children who handle challenges independently feel capable, empowered, and ready to take on new tasks.

5. Encouraging Goal Setting and Achievement

The teenage years are the best time to teach goal setting. Kids are curious and eager to grow. They start thinking about their future and want to achieve more.

They also have more independence, making it easier to set personal goals. However, without proper guidance, they may struggle. They might:

• Set goals that are too big and feel overwhelmed
• Avoid goals because they fear failure
• Lose focus and give up too soon
• Struggle to track progress and stay motivated

Coaching helps kids create clear, realistic plans. They learn goal setting for success by breaking tasks into steps, staying focused, and celebrating progress.

6. Developing Effective Study Habits

Eighth grade is the perfect time to build strong academic habits. Good study skills help in high school, college, and beyond. They teach discipline, time management, and independent thinking.

However, building these habits can be hard. Many kids struggle with focus and organization.

Some don’t know how to study effectively. Others get frustrated and give up too soon.

A coach identifies each child’s learning style and tailors study methods to fit their needs. Kids learn better ways to:

• Absorb information
• Stay organized
• Manage their time

Strategies for student success make studying easier. They lead to better results and higher confidence.

7. Boosting Self-Advocacy Skills

As a parent, you play a key role in helping your child advocate for themselves. They need to speak up in groups and share ideas. They should also stand up for themselves when confronted or bullied.

Gaining these skills helps them:

• Build strong relationships with teachers and peers
• Express thoughts and feelings clearly
• Ask for help when needed
• Handle conflicts with confidence

Coaching gives kids the tools to communicate clearly and assertively. They learn to express needs, set boundaries, and stand their ground. Child confidence coaching helps them feel heard, respected, and more secure in social and academic settings.

8. Teaching Impulse Control Strategies

Teenagers often act without thinking. Their brains are still developing, making self-control harder.

Impulsivity can lead to poor choices. Kids may say hurtful things, break rules, or take risks. Many regret their actions later, which lowers confidence and creates stress.

Struggling with self-control can also affect schoolwork. Rushing through assignments leads to mistakes. Speaking without thinking can cause problems with teachers and friends.

Coaching helps kids slow down and think before acting. They learn to pause, consider consequences, and make better decisions. Over time, they gain self-control and confidence, leading to stronger relationships and improved academic performance.

9. Supporting Social Skills Development

Most teens deeply want to belong. They crave friendships and social connections. Feeling isolated can harm their mental health and self-image.

However, the need to fit in can lead to problems. Some may join a bad company to feel accepted. Others struggle to make friends and feel left out.

They need guidance to socialize without being taken advantage of. Coaching teaches kids how to read social cues and start conversations.

They learn to choose friends wisely and build strong relationships. These skills help them now and in adulthood, leading to:

• Healthier friendships
• Better decision-making
• Greater confidence in social situations

10. Encouraging a Growth Mindset

Many adults believe they are naturally bad at certain things. They say, “I’m bad at math” or “I have no sense of direction.” These beliefs limit confidence and personal growth.

Investing in coaching helps your child avoid this mindset. They learn that skills improve with effort. They understand that failure is not permanent but a step toward success.

A growth mindset empowers kids to face challenges with confidence. Even if they struggle at first, they keep trying.

They develop resilience, knowing they can learn and improve. Over time, they build stronger skills, greater confidence, and a positive attitude toward learning.

11. Reducing Procrastination

Teenagers are known for putting off tasks. Sometimes, they forget assignments entirely. As a parent, you often remind them to complete homework and school projects.

Without supervision, many struggle to start or finish their work. Procrastination increases stress and lowers confidence. The longer tasks pile up, the harder they feel to complete.

Kids may doubt their abilities and avoid responsibilities. Coaching helps them develop better habits.

They learn to break tasks into smaller steps, making them easier to tackle. With the right strategies, they gain independence, complete work on time, and feel more confident.

12. Teaching Prioritization Skills

Most teens have many daily responsibilities. They might have to:

• Complete house chores
• Finish school assignments
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Attend social meetups

Many also want to spend more time playing video games and watching TV. With so many choices, they struggle to decide what to do first.

Feeling overwhelmed, they often focus on non-productive activities. For example, they might play games instead of studying for a test.

A coach helps them prioritize tasks and manage their time better. They learn to focus on important responsibilities first, reducing stress and gaining a sense of control.

13. Enhancing Focus and Attention

Many teens struggle with concentration, especially those with ADHD. Staying focused in class or while studying feels difficult. Distractions make it harder to complete assignments on time.

Losing focus leads to frustration. A child might start homework but stop after a few minutes. They may struggle to follow instructions or finish long tasks.

Coaches provide strategies to improve attention. They introduce mindfulness techniques and structured breaks to help kids stay engaged.

They also teach ways to manage distractions. With the right support, kids gain better focus and complete work more efficiently.

14. Encouraging Positive Self-Talk

Negative thoughts can weaken confidence. Many teens doubt their abilities and compare themselves to others. These thoughts can:

• Lower self-esteem
• Increase anxiety
• Cause fear of failure
• Reduce motivation
• Lead to social withdrawal

Children who believe they are not smart may stop trying in school. They may avoid challenges because they expect to fail. Coaches help kids recognize and change these thoughts.

They teach positive affirmations and mindset shifts. With practice, children start believing in their abilities. Replacing doubt with confidence helps them:

• Take on challenges
• Improve resilience
• Feel proud of their progress

15. Helping Manage Transitions Smoothly

Switching from one task to another can feel stressful. Many kids struggle with transitions. They may resist stopping a fun activity or starting a difficult task.

Sudden changes can cause frustration, anxiety, or emotional outbursts. Struggles with transitions can:

• Delay homework completion
• Cause morning routine battles
• Make bedtime stressful
• Lead to meltdowns after school

A coach helps kids manage these shifts with simple techniques. They may use timers, visual schedules, or countdowns.

Predictable routines help children feel more in control. Learning smooth transitions reduces stress and improves focus, making daily life easier for both kids and parents.

16. Strengthening Memory and Recall

Forgetting assignments or instructions can make kids feel frustrated. They may struggle to recall homework details or classroom lessons. Repeating mistakes can lower confidence and create stress.

Some children lose focus while receiving instructions. Others have trouble storing and retrieving information.

A coach helps kids improve memory skills through simple techniques. They may use visualization to create mental images of tasks. Repetition strengthens recall by reinforcing important details.

Breaking information into smaller parts makes it easier to remember. With the right support, kids become more organized and confident in their ability to retain and apply what they learn.

17. Providing Constructive Feedback

Teens often react poorly to negative feedback. They may feel attacked or misunderstood. Simple advice can turn into arguments or hurt feelings.

Parents may struggle to correct mistakes without causing tension. Many teens shut down when criticized, making growth difficult.

A coach helps kids see feedback differently. They teach children that mistakes are part of learning. Feedback becomes a tool for improvement, not a personal attack.

Coaches use supportive language to make corrections easier to accept. With guidance, kids learn to handle criticism with confidence. They begin to see challenges as opportunities to grow and improve.

18. Offering Personalized Support

As a parent, you may expect teachers to build your child’s executive functioning skills. However, teachers often use a general approach that may not fit every child.

Some kids need extra time to organize their thoughts. Others struggle with remembering instructions. A one-size-fits-all method can leave some students behind.

Personalized coaching benefits children by focusing on their individual needs. A coach helps kids develop strategies that match their strengths. They learn how to plan, focus, and complete tasks effectively.

Boost Your Child’s Confidence With an Executive Functioning Coach

Confidence grows when kids have the right support. An executive functioning coach helps children build skills to stay organized, focused, and in control.

With proper guidance, they learn how to manage tasks, handle challenges, and believe in their abilities. These skills set them up for success in school and life.

At Peak Academic Coaching, we help students gain confidence and independence. Our program was founded in 2007 by Drew Sarmiere, a former teacher and educational psychologist.

With 18 years of expertise, we teach strategies that empower kids to thrive. Contact us today to help your child build lifelong confidence!