Overcoming emotional blocks in planning for elementary school

Key Takeaways

Audience Spotlight: Supporting Struggling Learners with Planning and Emotions

Many parents notice that struggling learners in elementary school find it especially challenging to plan ahead or break assignments into manageable steps. These emotional blocks can look like procrastination, avoidance, or even meltdowns when faced with a new project or daily routine. If your child becomes anxious, overwhelmed, or discouraged when asked to plan, you are not alone. Understanding the reasons behind these reactions is the first step toward helping your child build lifelong organizational skills and resilience.

Definitions

Emotional blocks in planning are feelings or worries that make it hard for a child to think ahead, organize tasks, or start new routines. Executive function is a set of mental skills, like planning and prioritization, that help children manage daily responsibilities and achieve goals.

Understanding Emotional Barriers in Elementary School Planning

Overcoming emotional blocks in planning for elementary school is a journey many families face together. These blocks are often rooted in a child’s feelings of fear, frustration, or low confidence. For example, your child might worry about making mistakes, feel embarrassed after previous setbacks, or simply feel overwhelmed by a big assignment. Experts in child development note that executive function skills, including planning and prioritization, are still developing during the elementary years. Emotional responses are a natural part of this process.

Many teachers and parents report that common signs of emotional blocks include avoiding homework, getting upset with schedule changes, or saying “I can’t do it” before even starting. While these reactions can be frustrating, they also offer an important clue: your child may need more support in learning how to plan and manage feelings at the same time.

Executive Function and Planning: What Parents Need to Know

Executive function is like the brain’s air traffic control system. It helps your child organize thoughts, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. When your child struggles with planning, it is often due to a mix of skill gaps and emotional responses. The good news is that with encouragement, practice, and a few simple strategies, most children can strengthen these skills over time.

For struggling learners, emotional blocks might show up as tearfulness when starting a book report, frustration at forgotten assignments, or avoidance of multi-step projects. These experiences are not signs of laziness or defiance. Instead, they signal that your child may need help learning how to break tasks into smaller steps and manage their feelings.

Why Do Emotional Blocks Happen? A Parent’s Guide

There are several reasons why overcoming emotional blocks in planning for elementary school can be difficult. Some of the most common include:

• Fear of mistakes: Children may worry that their plan will not work or that they will forget something important.
• Overwhelm: A big project or a full week of activities can feel like “too much” to handle, especially if your child does not know where to start.
• Negative past experiences: If your child has struggled with planning before, they might assume they will always have trouble.
• Lack of confidence: Children who doubt their abilities may avoid planning altogether, hoping to escape feelings of failure.

It is important to remember that these emotional blocks are normal. Most adults have experienced similar feelings at some point. By naming these emotions and talking about them, you show your child that it is okay to feel worried and that these feelings can be managed with support.

How Can I Help My Child Build Planning Confidence?

One of the most effective ways to support your child is to focus on small, practical steps. Here are several approaches you can use at home:

• Model calm planning: Talk out loud as you plan your own day, grocery list, or weekend activities. Let your child see that planning is a normal, helpful habit, not something to fear.
• Break tasks into parts: For a book report, help your child list each step (choose a book, read, make notes, write a draft, etc.). Use checklists or charts to make progress visible.
• Use visual aids: Calendars, sticky notes, or simple “to do” boards can help your child see what is coming next and reduce anxiety.
• Practice with low-stakes activities: Plan a family meal or a small project together, so your child can practice planning without academic pressure.
• Celebrate effort, not just results: Praise your child for making a plan, even if things do not go perfectly. Highlighting the process builds resilience and positive associations with planning.

Remember, the goal is not perfection. It is about gradually building planning confidence in students and helping them see that planning can be learned like any skill.

Planning and Prioritization for Grades K-5: Age-Appropriate Strategies

As children move through elementary school, their ability to plan and prioritize grows. Here are grade-level tips that address both the “how” and the “feelings” of planning:

• K-2: Make planning concrete and visual. Use picture schedules, storyboards, or sorting games to help organize simple tasks. Praise your child for following steps, even if reminders are needed.
• 3-5: Involve your child in planning homework time, chores, or fun activities. Teach them to estimate how long a task might take and to choose which task comes first. If your child feels anxious, help them name the emotion and brainstorm solutions together.

Many families find it helpful to set aside a few minutes each evening to look ahead to the next day. This routine can make planning feel predictable and safe, reducing emotional blocks over time. For additional grade-specific ideas, visit our executive function resources.

Emotional Barriers: What Not to Do and Common Mistakes

When overcoming emotional blocks in planning for elementary school, it is just as important to avoid certain pitfalls:

• Do not dismiss feelings: Telling your child to “just do it” or “stop worrying” can make them feel unheard. Instead, acknowledge their feelings and offer support.
• Do not take over completely: While it is tempting to do the planning for your child, this can undermine their confidence. Offer guidance, but let them try first.
• Do not expect instant change: Building planning skills and overcoming emotional blocks is a process. Celebrate small improvements and be patient with setbacks.

Parent Q&A: How Can I Make Planning Less Stressful for My Child?

Q: My child gets very upset when asked to make a plan for a project. What can I do to make planning less stressful?

A: Start with empathy. Let your child know it is normal to feel worried about new tasks. Break the project into tiny steps, and focus on one part at a time. Use visuals like timers or checklists. Remind your child of times they have planned successfully in the past. If needed, set aside a “planning buddy” time where you do the first step together. Over time, your child will become more comfortable and independent.

Tutoring Support

K12 Tutoring is here to help your family navigate the challenges of overcoming emotional blocks in planning for elementary school. Our tutors understand both the emotional and practical sides of executive function. We work with students at their own pace, offering encouragement, step-by-step guidance, and strategies tailored to your child’s needs. Together, we help children develop planning confidence, resilience, and independence for long-term success.

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].