Framework for executive functioning: Goal Plan Do Check

​It is a new school year here in Australia and our children have headed back into the classrooms.  Everyone is hoping for a smoother year with less disruptions than the last few years! There are many new adjustments with twice weekly rapid antigen tests and mask wearing (mandatory for high schoolers).  How have your children adjusted to "new school routines"? or Have you had children starting school for the first time? 

As we look ahead at 2022, as adults we like to plan and have goals. I REALLY like doing this now and hence the OT Planners that I published recently (Natural and Swish Designs).  I'm using my planner every day!

As a child, I was never very good at the idea of goal setting.  What did I want to achieve? Shrug. I don't know.  I was happy where I was and what I was doing.  When someone asked me what I wanted to learn... I don't know.  I think one of my own children are a bit like me. 

I've created some new planning tools have been designed to assist your sc hool age child (middle school and high school) with their executive functioning skills. 

The framework can be introduced as a traffic light system with the red associated with stop (or goal), the yellow light associated with think (or plan) and the green light associated with go (perform the activity). A "u-turn" feature has been included to assist your child to return to the beginning to check their progress. Students will need to be taught the components which correspond to each light.

The resource has been designed with alternate wording (ie. stop/goal, think/plan) to provide versatility for use. It may be important for your child to grasp "stop" for attention or focus with an emphasis on whole body listening. In this case the STOP THINK DO CHECK framework may be more suitable. For some children, the concept of goal setting is more familiar to them and therefore the GOAL PLAN DO CHECK framework may be more appropriate.

A small version of the STOP THINK DO CHECK and GOAL PLAN DO CHECK has been created. These smaller versions of the visual aids may be cut out and stuck on a desk or inside a workbook.

The idea with this framework is that it can be used with individual children according to their needs.  These could be goals from writing neatly on the page, finish work in the classroom within the allocated time, playing safely on equipment, raising a hand to ask a question rather than calling out, unpacking a bag in the morning independently, sitting with the other children on the floor, etc. 

​The worksheet pages provides a student the opportunity to focus on tasks and goals that they may be having difficulty achieving. A separate print out of the worksheet page should be used for each goal/task. The worksheet guides a student through the framework to plan (with the assistance of a parent, teacher or therapist) how these goals or tasks may be achieved.

Your child may have difficulty with different aspects of the goal, plan, do, check procedure.  That's ok. This is not a worksheet for independent work!

The child, depending on their cognitive ability may be encouraged to come up with as much of the plan as they can. Mistakes can help children to learn. As the helping adult, you may want to jump in and change the plan.  You can guide your child, however it it is safe to do so, you may allow the plan that you don't think will work to be actioned. This is where the importance of the "check" part occurs where a child evaulates what happened and whether a goal was achieved. 

A page of "school goals" is included in this resource to prompt discussion with parents and teachers. These can be used to identify broad areas of need before measurable goals are written. The goal pages can be used in discussion with the student to determine priorities and to plan how they may be achieved.

The Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach is an evidence based approach used by some occupational therapists. Read more about a Co-op approach HERE from the American OT association or jump in to do the FREE online course by the University of Toroto (where the approach originated) HERE. This resource may be used to support a Co-op approach though the GOAL PLAN DO CHECK pages.

If handwriting is difficult for a student, the worksheets may be discussed with them and completed by the adult. 

The last two pages of the resource that I've created are a repeat of the Goal Plan Do Check (CPDC) worksheets with the context of an OT session or a classroom environment These pages have the inclusion of what the teacher or parent may see as a goal for the student as this may guide how the student themselves sets their goals. The plan is also divided into three sections: developing skills, using resources and equipment, modifying the environment.  This will help a student (and adult) to think of a wide range of options for achieving the goals. 

Watch a walk through of this resource on you-tube: Goal Planning Tools

Do you have a student (or class)  who may benefit from these executive functioning tools? 
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Executive functioning skills are important for classroom and school participation. It is hoped that this NEW resource will provide some support towards your child's participation.

I need these Goal Planning Tools

YKOT SHOP: GOAL PLANNING TOOLS

YKOT Teachers Pay Teachers: GOAL PLANNING TOOLS

Let me know if you try out these tools and how your children find using them.
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​Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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