Repeat after me: routine, structure, consistency
Earlier this month, I had the chance to present on Executive Function at a large teacher conference. The room was overflowing — more than 140 educators from all over the U.S. filled the space, eager to learn how to better support their students’ brains. The energy was buzzing!
Across the conference, hundreds (maybe thousands!) of teachers were there for the same reason: to find practical strategies to help students thrive.
And let me tell you — it was inspiring.
When I asked the audience what resonated most, here were some of their top takeaways:
Understanding what Executive Function actually is
Recognizing that these skills can and must be explicitly taught
The value of chunking instructions into smaller pieces
Learning to make the invisible visible
And one phrase I heard again and again: structure, routine, consistency
Why Structure, Routine, and Consistency Matter
Let’s talk about that last one, because it’s the foundation for every other Executive Function strategy.
Whenever possible, it’s essential to create predictable routines — at school, at work, in the morning, in the evening, or for any situation that tends to feel challenging.
Why? Because every time the brain has to learn a new system or process, it uses up valuable energy. Predictability helps conserve that mental energy so it can be used for thinking, learning, and problem-solving.
Simply put: All brains benefit from structure, routine, and consistency.
“I Hate Routines… But I Need Them.”
Sound familiar?
Many of my clients — kids and adults alike — tell me this.
One adult client once said, “I hate routines. But I need routines.”
Her brain didn’t want to create a routine for her workday. It preferred novelty, variety, and flexibility. But she knew that without structure, she’d struggle to stay on track.
So, she leaned into it — creating small systems that kept her grounded while still leaving room for creativity.
It’s the same idea that ADHD creator @ADHDJesse shares:
“I hate deadlines (but I need deadlines). I hate structure (but I need structure).”
Even when brains crave novelty, they still need the anchor of predictability.
For Teachers and Parents Alike
For teachers, structure and routine aren’t just helpful — they’re essential for classroom success.
If you’re an educator reading this, start small. Build one routine at a time. Maybe it’s how students start the day, how you transition between subjects, or how you end class. Over time, those small routines become automatic — and your students’ brains will thank you.
For parents, the same is true at home.
Establishing consistent morning or bedtime routines, for example, can lower stress, improve cooperation, and help kids feel secure.
Repeat after me: Brains need structure, routine, and consistency.
Start Small — Really Small
You don’t have to overhaul your whole day at once. Pick one small area — maybe homework time, mornings, or meal prep — and start there.
And remember my favorite mantra: Change happens little by little.
Every small step toward structure makes a big difference for your child’s Executive Function skills — and for your own peace of mind.
Sign up here to receive Carrie’s new Sunday email series, The Sunday Brain Boost. Simple strategies to help students thrive, one Sunday at a time.
Carrie Bonnett is a veteran teacher and Executive Function coach based in Bend, OR. Carrie works with students and families (and adults, too). Her coaching empowers students to thrive in life and in school, helps parents and teachers to better support their children, and guides adult to get on top of all that life requires. In addition to coaching, she is also an adjunct instructor for early-career teachers at University of Portland in Oregon. For more information, visit www.carriebonnett.com
