Parent‑Child Discussion Calendar 

Support family conversations that build teens’ executive skills. The Parent‑Child Discussion Calendar (Think. Plan. Thrive. Series) is a month‑by‑month guide designed for parents and caregivers of students in grades 8–12 to foster practical reflection and growth in executive functioning through short, focused discussions.

Key features

• 12 monthly themes aligned to core executive functions: Planning (Jan), Organization (Feb), Time Management (Mar), Task Initiation (Apr), Goal Setting (May), Working Memory (Jun), Metacognition (Jul), Emotional Control (Aug), Focus & Attention (Sep), Cognitive Flexibility (Oct), Prioritizing (Nov), and Self‑Monitoring (Dec).
• For each month: a concise “About” definition of the skill plus three open, conversation‑sparking questions families can use during dinner, car rides, or short check‑ins.
• Family‑friendly prompts that encourage active listening, reflection, practical strategy-sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Visual cues and icons to guide conversations (gears, clipboard/checklist, clock, brain, target, etc.) and a clean, attractive layout that’s easy to scan.
• Flexible use: one question per week or deeper monthly dives; adaptable to different family schedules and needs.
• Practical guidance for parents on listening strategies, follow‑ups (e.g., reviewing tools, checking backpacks, comparing time estimates), and turning insights into action.

Benefits for educators, counselors, and families

• Bridges school and home by encouraging alignment between classroom skill‑building and family conversations.
• Low‑lift, high‑impact: short prompts produce consistent practice in executive skills without extensive prep.
• Promotes stronger parent–teen communication, greater student self-awareness, and shared problem‑solving strategies.
• Useful for parent education nights, counselor handouts, community workshops, or family homework.

What’s included 

• Month‑by‑month discussion cards with definitions and three guided questions.
• Suggestions for follow‑up actions (e.g., inspect organization systems, try new time‑management strategies, practice calming techniques).
• Closing resources and contact info for The Executive Function Project.

Who it’s for

• Parents and caregivers of middle and high school students (grades 8–12).
• Teachers, school counselors, and family engagement coordinators who want a simple take‑home tool to extend executive function learning into the home.

Format and use

• Printable, easy‑to‑share discussion calendar or digital reference. Visuals are primarily icons and themed cards; content is text‑based and designed for quick family use. 

Learn more at www.theexecutivefunctionproject.com or follow @_theexecutivefunctionproject.