The Piggy Back of Executive Functions 

There are things we do everyday that have become much a part of our routines. For me it is getting up, turning on the shower to warm the water, brush my teeth, get in the shower (shower routine: shampoo → face scrub → conditioner → body wash), towel off, dress, brush hair… you get the gist. These are things that have become second nature to me, the order in which I do them. Now let’s say that I am under the weather and need to remember to take medication. How do I remember that? I piggyback. 

When you need to put something new into your routine it is going to take time and practice in order to do them like second nature in your day – so to get yourself going, you piggyback on a current routine. That medication that I need to remember to take? I am going to put it next to my toothbrush. This way I know that it is part of my memorized routine and I can begin practice the new addition using the established process. 

This is the same with our kids. If they have something new to put into their routine, pair it with something that they already are doing. The big one that we have pushed in our home is helping to take care of family dogs. When the boys come down in the morning for breakfast they go and get their cups to pour their milk. Right next to their cups are the dog bowls. Putting them next to each other has begun the process of integrating feeding the dogs when they are getting their morning cup of milk. This is something that all 3 of my boys have been able to participate in and it has built for them responsibility and empathy for our furry friends. 

For me, having a visual in a centralized location allows me to remember the moving parts of my routine due to being a parent and managing my kids routines. I use the digital calendar by Skylight and have it up and running in the kitchen next to my coffee maker. As I make my coffee I review what is on the list for the day and make sure I prepare for each component – like letting Jason know he has to get our son off the bus and letting our nanny know that our other son has an appointment after school and may need a snack in the car. Our house in the morning is like Grand Central Station of 3 kids and 3 adults trying to mold together their days. 

 

 

What is something in your daily routine that does not require a lot of thought? Could that part of your routine support a piggyback?