How can I teach planning to struggling learners?

Key Takeaways

Audience Spotlight: Supporting Struggling Learners at Home

Many parents ask how to teach planning to struggling learners, especially when their child seems overwhelmed by tasks or forgets important steps. If your child freezes at the sight of a big project or becomes frustrated by not knowing where to start, you are not alone. Struggling learners often need extra support to develop planning and prioritization skills, but with patience and the right strategies, these skills can grow just like any other.

Definitions

Planning is the ability to break down a larger task or goal into manageable steps, decide the order of those steps, and figure out what resources are needed to complete them.

Prioritization means deciding which tasks are most important or time-sensitive, so your child can focus energy where it matters most.

Why Planning & Prioritization Matter for Executive Function

Executive function refers to a set of mental skills, including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. Planning and prioritization are core parts of executive function. When students struggle with these skills, they may procrastinate, forget deadlines, or feel overwhelmed by assignments. Many teachers and parents report that even highly capable students can run into trouble when planning tools are missing from their toolkit.

Experts in child development note that planning skills do not come naturally to everyone. For struggling learners, especially those with ADHD or similar learning differences, these skills must be explicitly taught and practiced.

How to Teach Planning to Struggling Learners: Step-by-Step Guidance

When exploring how to teach planning to struggling learners, it helps to start from your child’s strengths and interests. Every child can learn to plan when the process is broken down into concrete, manageable actions. Here is a step-by-step approach you can try at home.

• Start with a conversation. Ask your child how they feel about planning and what feels hardest. Many struggling learners see planning as confusing or overwhelming, so normalizing these feelings is important.
• Break tasks into smaller pieces. For example, if your child has a book report, help them list the steps: reading, taking notes, drafting, revising, and turning it in. Write each step on a sticky note or a whiteboard.
• Use visual tools. Calendars, checklists, and color-coded planners give your child a clear sense of what needs to be done and when. Digital apps can be helpful for tech-savvy students, but paper tools often feel more concrete.
• Model your own planning process. Talk out loud as you plan family meals, weekend chores, or a trip. Show the steps, choices, and priorities you consider. This modeling helps your child see that everyone needs to plan.
• Practice prioritizing together. If there are three tasks, ask your child, “Which one should we do first, and why?” Discuss what makes something urgent or important. Use simple language and let your child make choices, even if it is just the order of their homework subjects.
• Celebrate small wins. Every successfully planned and completed task, no matter how minor, is a building block for confidence. Praise your child’s effort and progress.

Repeating these steps regularly helps reinforce planning as a habit, not just a one-time activity.

Grade Band Planning & Prioritization Strategies for Homeschoolers

Because homeschool families often blend multiple grade levels, planning strategies must be flexible. Here are some grade-specific examples:

• Elementary (K-5): Use visual schedules, picture cards, and simple daily checklists. For example, create a “morning routine” chart with images for brushing teeth, eating breakfast, and gathering school supplies. Keep planning sessions short and playful.
• Middle School (6-8): Introduce weekly planners and help your child set 1-2 short-term goals. Practice breaking down larger assignments, like science projects, into weekly tasks. Ask reflective questions: “What should we do first? What might be tricky?”
• High School (9-12): Encourage independent use of calendars and task apps. Teach backward planning: start with a due date and work backward to create a timeline. Discuss how to adjust priorities when unexpected events arise, such as a family emergency or illness.

Homeschool settings give families the flexibility to adapt planning tools. Some families prefer hands-on methods like post-it notes, while others use shared digital calendars. The key is consistency and making planning part of your daily rhythm.

Common Barriers: Why Is Planning Hard for Struggling Learners?

Many parents notice that their child resists planning or becomes anxious when asked to map out their work. This is a normal response. Struggling learners may have experienced “failure cycles” in the past—times when their plans did not work, or they forgot key steps. This can lead to worry and self-doubt.

Other common barriers include:

• Difficulty visualizing time: Some students do not have a strong sense of how long tasks will take. Using timers or estimating together can help.
• Overwhelm with choices: Too many options can cause “analysis paralysis.” Limit choices and offer simple, clear steps.
• Perfectionism: Some children feel they must plan perfectly before starting. Remind them that plans can change and mistakes are part of learning.

By understanding these barriers, parents can respond with empathy and practical solutions.

Planning Tips for Homeschool Students: Making Progress Visible

One of the most effective planning tips for homeschool students is to make progress visible. Use charts, stickers, or a “done” box where completed tasks go. Review the day or week together, highlighting what went well and what could be improved. This reflection builds metacognition, or “thinking about thinking,” which is crucial for independent planning later on.

Consider building in family planning time each week. Sit down together on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings to look at the week ahead, discuss priorities, and set reasonable goals. Involving your child in this routine shows that planning is a shared responsibility.

Parent Q&A: How Can I Stay Patient When My Child Struggles to Plan?

It is natural to feel frustrated when your child resists planning or forgets steps you have practiced many times. Remember that learning to plan is a process, especially for struggling learners. Progress is rarely linear—there will be setbacks and breakthroughs. Try to focus on effort, not just results, and use setbacks as opportunities to revisit strategies together.

If you feel stuck, consider reaching out for extra support. School counselors, tutors, or learning specialists can offer new approaches tailored to your child’s needs. You can also find more ideas in our executive function resources.

Building Independence and Resilience through Planning

With time and support, planning can become a source of independence and pride for your child. Encourage self-advocacy by asking your child to identify which tools or routines help them most. Gradually shift more planning responsibility to your child as they grow. Celebrate every small sign of progress—these moments build resilience that will serve your child well beyond academics.

Tutoring Support

K12 Tutoring understands that learning how to teach planning to struggling learners takes time, patience, and the right resources. Our tutors are experienced in adapting strategies for all types of learners, helping children and families develop routines that fit their unique needs. If your child would benefit from extra guidance, we are here to partner with you every step of the way.

Related Resources

• 6 Activities That Inspire A Goal-Setting Mindset – Edutopia
• Managing Your Time – Overcoming Obstacles
• What is Executive Function? – Harvard Center on the Developing Child

Trust & Transparency Statement

Last reviewed: October 2025
This article was prepared by the K12 Tutoring education team, dedicated to helping students succeed with personalized learning support and expert guidance. K12 Tutoring content is reviewed periodically by education specialists to reflect current best practices and family feedback. Have ideas or success stories to share? Email us at [email protected].