From “Mum, Where’s My Hat?” to “I’ve Got This” – Growing Daily Independence Before High School

In the next installment in our series on transition skills we are looking at building independence in daily routines, to support executive function at home, and enhance the carryover to school.

From everything that we've witnessed over many years of providing Occupational Therapy services to schools and families - Many of the challenges that Year 7 students face aren’t academic — they’re largely organisational. Forgetting homework, losing notes, missing the bus… these are often signs of underdeveloped executive functioning skills, not laziness or defiance.

The good news? These skills can be taught — and home is the perfect place to start.

What Are Executive Functioning Skills?

We've done many blog posts on these before - so feel free to look those up for a deeper dive, but for the purpose of this piece, they are the brain-based processes that help us:

• Plan and prioritise

• Start tasks and finish them

• Stay organised and focused

• Manage time and self-monitor

  
  

They’re essential for success at school — and equally important in life.

How can tweaking the things we expect at home, assist with building independence with routines and organisation?

Firstly, practice makes progress, and there's no better environment to practice in than the home - safe, secure, and supported. Secondly, the sooner we start to have some of these expectations, which then grow incrementally over time, the easier the bigger transition to highschool, will be. Many of these things can be imlemented from as early as Prep, in an age-appropriate, supported and scaffolded way. Some things to work on might include:

Creating Morning or Evening Routines:

Creating a structured plan for morning or evening routines can be a game-changer for developing independence. A written plan, such as a checklist or chart, provides a clear visual guide that reduces the need for constant reminders. For example, listing items like "Brush teeth," "Pack school bag," and "Eat breakfast" can help children stay on track and feel accomplished as they complete each task. Visual plans, such as illustrated charts for younger children or detailed agendas for older students, cater to different learning styles. Pair these with timers or alarms set for specific tasks — such as waking up, getting dressed, or heading out the door — to instil an awareness of time management. Over time, this approach fosters self-reliance as they learn to follow routines independently.

Have your child individualise their routine to include the things they need to do to get ready.

Let Them Track Events and Due Dates

Encouraging children to use tools like a family calendar or digital planner introduces them to the concept of personal organisation. Whether it’s a wall-mounted calendar in the kitchen or an app on their phone, the act of writing down sports days, excursions, assignments, and due dates reinforces the importance of planning ahead. Regularly checking and updating the calendar should become a habit. This strategy not only ensures that they stay informed but also helps develop a sense of responsibility for managing their commitments. For older students, colour-coding different types of activities can make the calendar visually engaging and easier to navigate. Discussing upcoming events as a family or during weekly check-ins further reinforces the importance of staying organised.

Let THEM track the due dates and events. Starting slowly, helps buil capacity.

Chunking Homework into Steps

Breaking homework or projects into smaller, manageable steps can make seemingly overwhelming tasks feel achievable. Sit down with your child and list out the individual components of their work. For instance, if they’re working on an essay, break it into "Brainstorm ideas," "Draft an outline," "Write the introduction," and so on. Estimating how long each step might take and scheduling these chunks across available time slots — whether before or after sports or other activities — teaches them the art of realistic time management. Additionally, encourage them to focus on one step at a time. This approach not only reduces stress but also helps them build confidence as they progress through the task.

Natural Consequences and Gentle Accountability

When a child forgets something, resist the urge to immediately step in and fix the problem. Natural consequences — such as needing to explain to their teacher why an assignment is late or missing out on an event due to poor time management — provide valuable lessons about the importance of planning and responsibility. Balance this with gentle accountability by talking through what went wrong and helping them brainstorm strategies for improvement. Emphasise that feeling a bit uncomfortable or disappointed is part of the learning process. By stepping back, you allow them to develop critical problem-solving skills and resilience, while ensuring they know you are there for guidance when needed.

At the end of the day - think g-term, not Perfect. The journey toward independence is not a linear path; it’s messy and full of trial and error. Remind yourself and your child that perfection is not the goal — growth is. Forgetting assignments, making mistakes, or experiencing frustration are all natural parts of growing up. These moments offer opportunities for reflection and learning. Your response during setbacks matters greatly. Consistent, calm support allows your child to focus on solutions rather than dwelling on their mistakes. Encourage them to view missteps as stepping stones toward better organisation and self-management. Remember, the opportunity to make smaller, less important mistakes, is the way to developing long-term resilience, routines and experience a successful transition.