Dandelion Hub

27/03/2026

Did you know, stress and executive function don’t make good friends?

Executive functions, like planning, brain storming, being flexible in our thinking, and self-control, are shaped by stress, mood, and connection.

Small moments of support and connection can make a big difference to how our children can engage with their executive functions!

Learn more at our upcoming parent and carer workshop on the evening of Tuesday 28th April, 2026. This will be held online, and is limited to 15 families. Sign up here: https://www.trybooking.com/DKPGU

26/03/2026

Did you know that setting goals together—with children, students, or clients—can transform motivation and focus? Collaborative goal setting isn’t just about reaching targets. It helps direct attention, boosts effort, and builds persistence, making it easier for children to stick with challenging tasks. Plus, working towards goals can generate new knowledge and skills along the way.

Instead of simply providing executive function solutions, try taking the time to create goals collaboratively. This approach can make a real difference in overcoming motivational challenges for children with executive function differences.

Ready to start meaningful conversations about goals? Explore practical tools and resources here: https://www.dandelionhub.com.au/resources

Read more about the research on goal setting here: Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation (https://goal-lab.psych.umn.edu/orgPsych/readings/5.%20Motivation/Locke%20%26%20Latham%20(2002).pdf)

25/03/2026

Struggling with organisation or focus isn’t laziness—it’s often a sign of executive function differences. Let’s replace judgment with knowledge, understanding, and curiosity.

For more on what different executive functions look like in everyday life for children and young people, head to our resources page https://www.dandelionhub.com.au/resources

23/03/2026

Children with complex trauma backgrounds may face hidden challenges with executive function - the thinking skills that help us plan, manage emotions, stay organized, and follow through.

What’s sometimes seen as 'defiance' or 'laziness' could often be a sign of real difficulties with impulse control, flexible thinking, or following instructions.

When we reframe these behaviours as executive function differences, we can respond with greater understanding, patience, and support—empowering children to build skills for growth.

To learn more about supporting executive function in families, download our free Executive Function family guide. It’s perfect for parents and carers. https://www.dandelionhub.com.au/resources

20/03/2026

Every child’s brain is unique. Some of us love unicorns. Some of us are motivated by winning. Some of us find time management effortful. Some find coming up with ideas tricky.

When we understand executive function differences, and how individual brains work, we can empower children to shine in their own way.

19/03/2026

Is your child finding it tough to stay organised, remember instructions, or manage time - whether due to learning style, neurodiversity, medical history (like oncology treatment), or just life’s challenges?

You’re not alone, and support is here!

Join us for our online, small group, parent and carer training 7pm – 8:30pm, Tuesday, 28th April. This session is designed for ALL families, whether your child has a diagnosis, is post treatment, or simply needs extra help with executive function skills.

In our workshop you will discover how to turn daily events—like reading together, planning a shopping trip, or baking a cake—into powerful opportunities for children to practise decision-making, problem-solving, and flexible thinking. Learn why modelling and teaching executive function skills in real life is more effective (and enjoyable!) than you might think.

You’ll learn practical, evidence-based strategies to help your child thrive.

Secure your spot here: https://www.trybooking.com/DKPGU

17/03/2026

A colourful chart on the fridge isn’t always the answer - real executive functioning change starts with conversation and collaboration.

Ever felt frustrated when your child’s visual morning routine loses its magic? You’re not alone! Many families find that while visual schedules can help, they sometimes become just another forgotten chart. The secret to avoid this? Involving your child in the process.

Our latest blog explores why co-creating routines, rather than simply providing them, builds executive functioning skills like planning, organisation, and flexible thinking, and creates longer lasting strategies.

Discover three practical tips to move from reminders to real independence, and grab our free printable Morning Routine Problem-Solving Worksheet to get started.

Read the full blog and download your worksheet here: https://www.dandelionhub.com.au/blog/march2026

02/03/2026

Take a look at this free live parenting webinar "Parenting Children with Big Feelings" offered by Psychologist Karen Forest.

Running this Friday 6th March or next Monday 9th March!
https://www.facebook.com/JumpStartTherapyBathurst

22/12/2025

Here’s our final tip #3 to support your child’s executive function skills during the holidays

𝟯. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴
Holiday plans can change unexpectedly. Proactively with you child, create a “plan for when the plan changes”. This plan could include steps such as talking through options, taking a break to breathe, or brainstorming new ideas together. Preparing in advance helps your child adapt and manage changes with more confidence.

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20/12/2025

Here’s our tip #2 to support your child’s executive function skills during the holidays

𝟮. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
Work with your child to make a visual calendar or checklist for holiday routines and activities. Collaborating on this helps your child anticipate what’s coming up, reduces anxiety, and supports planning and organisation. Involve them as much as possible, such as choosing the order of activities and selecting words and images for the checklist. This not only provides opportunities to practise executive function skills like prioritisation and decision-making, but also increases their engagement with the visual schedule.

18/12/2025

We know the holiday season can bring changes in routine, travel, and last-minute surprises. Here’s our tip #1 to support your child’s executive function skills during this time.

𝟭. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
Support executive function development by collaborating with your child, rather than doing tasks for them. For example, when packing for a holiday, talk through your choices: “The forecast is sunny and warm, so let’s pack shorts and T-shirts, plus a jumper for cooler evenings.” For children needing less guidance, ask what they’d like to pack and prompt them to consider different weather. This models and builds planning, problem-solving, and organisation skills.

Keep an eye out for tips #2 and #3 in the coming days!

22/11/2025

Some wise words from Hayley x

Howdy, Hailey here again, with another reflection on the idea that you can’t be what you can’t see.

Lately, life has pushed me to reflect on growing up. After sitting with this for a while, I found myself thinking about how unsure I felt about myself, my brain injury, and how I felt about it all. Looking back, I wish I’d felt more confident in myself, and more okay with feeling unsure. I can see that having complex and conflicting feelings kinda comes with it.

Even now, as an adult, I still feel a whole spectrum of things about life and about my brain injury.

There’s a lot of pressure to always have it together and have a positive outlook, to be inspirational. But I think that pressure can be dangerous. It doesn’t always leave room to feel what you need to feel, or to process things in your own time.

The truth is, I now see the importance of emotional processing. Of sitting with what’s hard.

I think a big part of life is learning from mistakes and growing through them. Sometimes, what we need to see is someone being honest about the messiness.

I spent a lot of my teen years comparing myself to others, feeling like I was always behind and like I had to lie about how I really felt just to keep up. But now I know it's ok.

It’s okay to be complex.

It’s okay to have conflicting feelings.

It’s okay if you don’t feel the way others do.