In this episode, Rossman’s Jess Baker and Jess Fletcher, from our Learning Effectiveness Team, sit down with Dr. Peg Dawson, an internationally recognized school psychologist and co-author of the Smart but Scattered series.  Her work has helped parents and educators around the world better understand executive functioning skills—the brain-based abilities we all use to manage daily tasks, stay organized, and get things done. She explains why developing these skills is essential for children’s success both in and out of the classroom.

Together, they discuss which executive skills are most important during the elementary years, how parents can nurture independence through everyday routines, and simple ways to problem-solve when strategies don’t seem to work. Dr. Dawson also offers insight into how to recognize when a child might simply be “smart but scattered” versus when anxiety or another concern may be at play. Ultimately, she offers reassurance that these skills take time to develop and that small, consistent steps make a big difference.