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Best Apps and Sites for Improving Executive Function

Executive function -- how to plan, organize, remember, and carry out tasks as well as manage emotions -- is tied closely to success in school and life. From managing projects to completing work to just showing up on time, executive function skills make us more productive and successful not to mention conscientious and collaborative. Just about everyone struggles with these skills, and some students face significant challenges. While tech doesn't solve executive function challenges, these apps and sites will help students help get on the right path whether they're in preschool or high school, just need a little extra help or have special needs.

If you're looking to help students recognize and manage their emotions, check out our list of Emotional Intelligence Apps and Games.

Top Picks

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Thinking Time Pro - Cognitive Skills for Early Learning

Challenging games stress memory, logic, impulse control, flexibility

Bottom line: Effective and engaging way to address foundational cognitive skills; most kids will need adult support.

Grades: Pre-K–K Price: $4.99

Choiceworks

Practical, flexible life-skills diagrams build executive functions

Bottom line: A variety of customizability options make it easy to personalize boards.

Grades: Pre-K–2 Price: $6.99

Todo Telling Time

Top-notch tool for teaching time, from minutes to months

Bottom line: Well-rounded, fun learning game that's ALL about time.

Grades: Pre-K–2 Price: $3.99

Social Stories

Quick and simple behavior-reinforcement tool for kids with autism

Bottom line: Teachers will find this an efficient way to engage their students in understanding and creating social stories.

Grades: Pre-K–5 Price: $4.99

Goalbook Toolkit

Set tailored targets with pricey but worth-it kit of tools, strategies

Bottom line: You pay for quality with Goalbook Toolkit, including access to clear, well-crafted learning goals and strategies that allow for far easier differentiation.

Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free to Try, Paid 30-day free trial. There are three paid plans: $995 per year including district/administrator support, $395 per teacher per year with district/administrator support, or $795 per teacher per year with online PD and 1:1 coaching for teachers. The latter two plans require a minimum purchase of 10+ licenses.

FTVS HD - First Then Visual Schedule HD

Useful multisensory tool teaches self-direction and follow-through

Bottom line: This simple but powerful tool engages kids in independently following a schedule.

Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: $21.99

Remind

Teachers' text reminders give students -- and parents -- a reason to check their phones

Bottom line: Well-designed, widespread messaging tool can keep students and families connected with their schools -- provided they have access.

Grades: 1–12 Price: Free Remind is free, but if you use it to fundraise for events, they charge a fee of $0.50 per transaction. School and district plans with are also available.

Time Timer

Easily conceptualize, manage, and visualize time

Bottom line: Goes above and beyond standard timers to include handy customization and visual cues.

Grades: 1–12 Price: $2.99-$4.99 The mobile app is $2.99 and the iPad app is $4.99.

MindMeister

Powerful mind mapper aimed at adults, simple enough for older kids

Bottom line: Sophisticated productivity tool enhances learning and organization with simple dashboard and slick workspace.

Grades: 5–12 Price: Free, Paid Free account limited to three mind maps. The Edu Personal plan ($2.50 per user per month) has unlimited mind maps, file/image uploading, and other extra features. Edu Pro plans ($4.17 per user per month) add options for multiple users, exporting, and reports. Schools can pay $0.99 per user per month (minimum 20 licenses) for the Edu Campus plan to get additional group sharing, backups, and custom login and themes.

WorkFlowy

Simple tool helps teachers and students make lists, get organized

Bottom line: A simple, free way to get organized combining lists, outlines, and notes with some extra nice-to-have features that make this tool a solid option for teachers and students.

Grades: 5–12 Price: Free

Bear

Write, edit, and sync content on the go with flexible note-taking tool

Bottom line: For an app that doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, it's surprisingly versatile and useful for many types of writing and note-taking.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid The app is free to use. The Pro version is $1.49 per month or $14.99 per year and includes syncing capability across devices, more themes, and more export options, such as exporting a note as a PDF.

Corkulous

Brainstorm, organize, and present on this tidy virtual corkboard

Bottom line: This visually appealing, simple-to-use corkboard is most useful with Pro purchase.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid The free version promotes Corkulous Pro as an in-app purchase ($4.99), and users can see features they can't use unless they purchase the pro version and another app (Todo). Under the "i" tab, more apps by this developer are listed.

Evernote

Impressive organizational tool has limitless uses

Bottom line: This free information-management tool can help kids become tech-savvy and learn to better organize their digital lives.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid Basic, Plus, and Premium plans available. Basic plans are free, and come with 60MB of uploads per month and access on two devices. The Plus plan is $34.99 per year and comes with more features, plus 1GB of uploads per month and access to an unlimited number of devices. The Premium plan is $69.99 per year, and adds even more features, including a presentation mode and the ability to annotate PDFs.

iHomework 2

Keep track of assignments, due dates, and tasks with digital planner

Bottom line: This flexible, easy-to-learn organizational tool will help students get set up for success, though teachers will need to follow up regularly to make sure the information is accurate.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid The app is free for basic features; $1.99 removes ads. A Premium subscription ($4.99 for six months, $8.99 for one year) adds options for syncing between devices, universal access, grade tracking, and more.

Notability

Flexible note-taking tool empowers learners of all abilities

Bottom line: An excellent tool that lets students make their notes thorough and useful in the way that best suits their learning styles and abilities.

Grades: 6–12 Price: $9.99

Microsoft OneNote

Note-taking giant built for flexible, collaborative work

Bottom line: A powerful (and free) tool for thinking and organization that's making smart strides in the education space.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

myHomework Student Planner

Digital planner makes scheduling easy, if paired with teacher app

Bottom line: If used on a regular basis with teacher guidance and motivation, students can be ready to tackle their complex schedules with ease.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free, Paid Basic version is free and offers the ability to track classes, receive due date reminders, sync between devices, and join Teachers.io classes. Paid version starts at $4.99 per year per student and offers everything in the basic version plus eliminates ads, offers more customization options, and allows external calendar access. Group and school discounts are available.