Hi there—I'm trying something new!
This week’s newsletter is broken into two smaller parts to make it easier to read and apply.
Let me know which format you prefer—full-length or split into two! I’d love your feedback.
➡️🔗www.NorikoAbenojar.com/Newsletters to view all past newsletters
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➡️Keep reading even more for: NORIKO’S NOTES: sharing my life’s simple joys 💜
Real-life tasks = most effective and natural ways to build executive functioning and social skills.
These skills—like planning, organization, flexibility, and communication—can be strengthened through everyday routines when we approach them with purpose. Whether during the school year or in the more flexible rhythm of summer, these moments create meaningful growth opportunities for kids of all ages.
It’s Not Just About Doing the Task—It’s How They Do It
Summer is a great time for life-skill building—but the real power isn’t in checking off chores or having your child tag along. It’s about intentionally using these activities to build executive functioning and social growth.
For example:
It’s not just about having a garage sale and letting your child “help” when they feel like it.
Instead, actively teach the skills through the process:
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Take inventory of items
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Categorize and price them
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Create signs
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Practice making change
You’re still heavily involved; they first need to be taught and shown how to complete the tasks. They need to understand why the step is important. They can’t do it all—but now you’re a guide, not just the doer.
You’re helping your child build skills like:
🧠 Planning
🧠 Problem-solving
🧠 Group decision-making
🧠 Perspective-taking
🧠 Emotional-regulation for both kids and parents!
This is executive functioning in action.
Also, emotional-regulation is in all of these activities because completing a task from start to finish takes a lot of perseverance both for you and your child!
Everyday Tasks That Teach Big Skills
Whether it’s a weekend project or a weeklong plan, these real-life activities are full of opportunity. Here are ideas for kids of all ages; they just need to be modified based on your child’s age and skill level.
🍿 Plan a Family Movie Night
Let your child:
- Gather suggestions
- Decide on a fair way to choose (voting? rotating picks?)
- Plan the time, make invitations, choose and prepare snacks
- Set up the space
Skills practiced: Planning, sequencing, decision-making, communication
🛍 Host a Garage or Yard Sale
Guide them through:
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Picking a date, collecting items, organizing and pricing
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Making signs, advertising
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Handling money and change
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Deciding together what to do with leftovers or profits
Skills practiced: Planning, real-world math, flexibility, perspective-taking
🧺 Grocery Planning + Shopping + (optional) making meals
Depending on age/skills, this can be done with parents or independently:
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Plan a simple meal
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Write a list grouped by category
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Estimate cost and stay within budget
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Navigate the store and ask employees for help if needed
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Make the purchase with cash or card
I think practicing paying with cash is needed.
Skills practiced: Organizing, budgeting, communication
✨ Coming Thursday: Part 2
In Part 2, we’ll continue exploring real-life activities that support executive functioning and social growth and one of my favorite teamwork exercises from SCLC social groups.
Keep an eye on your inbox!
NORIKO'S NOTES: sharing my life's simple joys💜
It's actually big news! Our daughter, Emma, was admitted as a transfer student to UC Davis for fall 2025!! Check out our hats we got a Picnic Day! Woohooo!! We are very excited and proud of her. Emma is a fiercely strong young lady who has always paved her own path. She is transferring to UCD after attending community college for only 1 year because she took a bunch of college classes during high school. Through her community college, she entered into the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. This meant that as long as she fulfilled the course requirements with certain grades, she had guaranteed admission to one of six UC campuses. She chose Davis and we are thrilled! I love TAG! Such a great path for many students.
Thank you for letting me share my simple (exciting) joy💜 .
Gratefully yours,
Noriko
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Noriko Abenojar, MSW PPS
Parenting REdefined
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