Your Bright 3rd-5th Grader is Struggling—But It's Not What You Think

Missing executive function skills, not intelligence, could be the real challenge.

If your child is smart but struggling with organization, focus, or follow-through, you're not alone.
Research shows that 10-15% of elementary students have executive function challenges, and working memory deficits are the strongest predictor of academic struggle. The missing piece isn't more tutoring—it's systematic executive function skills training.

Smart Kids, Invisible Struggles

Does this sound familiar?

  • The Disorganized Achiever

    Knows the material but constantly loses homework and forgets assignments.

  • The Enthusiastic Starter

    Begins projects with excitement but abandons them when they get challenging.

  • The Homework Warrior

    Homework becomes a nightly battle, not from defiance but from overwhelm.

  • The 'Lazy' Label

    Trying harder than anyone realizes but still getting called lazy or unmotivated.

If these scenarios feel familiar, you're not alone—and it's not your child's fault.

The Systematic Solution Schools Don't Teach

Established Strategies That Actually Work

Over 2.4 million children in grades 3-5 struggle with executive function challenges—that's 10-15% of all elementary students. Research shows that children with working memory deficits are 5x more likely to be among the lowest performing students, yet schools lack the systematic approach to address these foundational skills.

Parents are left wondering why their bright child can't remember multi-step instructions, struggles to get started on tasks, melts down over homework, or can't seem to learn from mistakes. The support that exists focuses on managing symptoms rather than building the underlying skills.

We combine business systems thinking with proven executive function strategies. Our Junior Executive project managers guide children through monthly themed projects that build essential skills naturally through engaging activities.

We also address critical life skills that schools don't teach but every child needs: reading comprehension strategies and financial literacy fundamentals. These aren't just academic skills—they're life preparation.

The 6 core skills that make everything
else possible - but schools assume kids
will just “figure out”:

  1. Working Memory - The brain's ability to hold and use information while completing tasks

  2. Focus & Attention - The ability to concentrate on what matters while filtering out distractions

  3. Activation - The skill of getting started on tasks without procrastination

  4. Emotional Regulation - Managing feelings and reactions effectively under pressure

  5. Effort & Persistence - Sustaining motivation and energy through challenges

  6. Action Monitoring - Self-checking work and learning from mistakes

Here's what makes The EF Skills Learning Lab different from everything else you've tried:

✅ Skills, Not Will - Your child's struggles aren't character flaws - they're learnable skills

✅ Systems Over Symptoms - We address root causes, not just manage problems

✅ Exposure Builds Expectation - Showing kids diverse careers expands their vision of what's possible

✅ Future Leaders - Every child can become the CEO of their own life

✅ Systematic Solution - The organized approach schools and tutoring can't provide

Meet The Junior Executives
Your Child's Personal Executive Function Training Team

Each Junior Executive represents a core executive function skill, making abstract brain concepts concrete and relatable. Your child develops EF skills by engaging in themed monthly projects led by character
project managers who guide them through systematic skill-building activities.

Charlie the Chef

Working Memory Skills - Follow the recipe for success!

Mia the Media Producer Focus Skills - Great focus creates great stories!

Dani the Designer

Action Monitoring Skills - Check your work to make it perfect!

Alex the Architect

Activation Skills - Every big project starts with a good plan!

Leo the Lab Scientist

Effort & Persistence Skills - Every mistake teaches us something!

Mia the Media Producer

Focus Skills - Great focus creates great stories!

Ella the Entrepreneur

Emotional Regulation Skills - Stay calm and solve problems!

Which Junior Executive Does Your Child Need Most?

Free 2-Minute Quiz Reveals Your Child's #1 Executive Function Priority

✅ Discover your child's EF strengths and starting point
✅ Meet their Junior Executive guide for beginning the journey
✅ Get specific strategies you can start using today
✅ Begin building stronger learning skills immediately

From Struggling Parent to Solution Creator

Twenty-five years ago, I was searching for answers that didn't exist. My child was diagnosed with executive function challenges that traditional support couldn't address.

Over the past 25+ years, I’ve built my career in business strategy and project management—developing the systematic thinking skills I wish I'd had back then.

That's why I created The EF Skills Learning Lab. It's the comprehensive, business-minded solution I needed 25 years ago but couldn't find anywhere.

Karen Swinger, MBA
Karen Swinger, MBA | Founder, The EF Skills Learning Lab
Business Systems Expert & Parent Advocate

Ready to Help Your Child Succeed?

You've seen the struggles, you understand the challenges, and now you know there's a solution. Your child has incredible potential—they just need the right executive function skills to unlock it.

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