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Printable Executive Function Cards

Simple cards you can copy, print, or rewrite by hand. Keep them nearby — a step you can actually find in the moment beats a beautiful chart you can't. Cut them out, tape them inside a notebook, or keep them on a shelf.

Everyday task skills, not a diagnosis

These cards teach everyday planning and task-management skills. They are not therapy, medical advice, disability evaluation, ADHD treatment, or a replacement for trusted adults, educators, caregivers, or qualified support. Kids should not be treated as lazy or broken when starting, focusing, organizing, or finishing is hard. If tasks feel consistently inaccessible, unsafe, or overwhelming, asking a trusted adult for support is part of the plan.

Start-Finish Loop Card​

THE START-FINISH LOOP

  1. What is the job?
  2. What does "done" look like?
  3. What is the first tiny step?
  4. What do I need?
  5. What matters most?
  6. How much time or energy might it take?
  7. What could distract or interrupt me?
  8. What will help me restart?
  9. How will I know I'm done enough?

Quick Start Card​

WHEN A TASK FEELS BIG

  • Name the job.
  • Picture done.
  • Make the first step tiny.
  • Gather what you need.
  • Pick what matters first.
  • Try a time guess.
  • Protect your attention.
  • Restart if interrupted.
  • Check "done enough."

Job Clearer Card​

MAKE THE JOB VISIBLE

  • What am I being asked to do?
  • What does done look like?
  • When does it need to be done?
  • What should I do first?
  • Who can clarify if I'm not sure?

Tiny First Step Card​

LOWER THE BARRIER TO STARTING

  • Big task: ___
  • Tiny first step: ___
  • I can do this in less than ___ minutes.
  • After that, I can choose the next step.

Checklist Card​

GOOD CHECKLIST RULES

  • Use action words.
  • Keep steps small.
  • Put them in order.
  • Check off what is done.
  • Fix the checklist after using it.

Time and Energy Guess Card​

GUESS / ACTUAL / NEXT GUESS

  • I think this will take ___ minutes.
  • My energy is low / medium / high.
  • It actually took ___ minutes.
  • Next time I would guess ___.

Must / Should / Could Card​

CHOOSE WHAT MATTERS NOW

  • Must do: ___
  • Should do: ___
  • Could do: ___
  • What matters first right now? ___
  • Who can help me sort this? ___

Distraction Plan Card​

NOTICE / MOVE / RETURN

  • What is pulling my attention? ___
  • Can I move it, move myself, or write it down? ___
  • My next tiny step is ___.
  • If I drift, I will return by ___.

Restart Bookmark Card​

FIND YOUR PLACE AGAIN

  • I stopped at ___.
  • The next step is ___.
  • I need ___.
  • When I return, I will ___.

Done Enough Card​

IS IT DONE ENOUGH?

  • What was the purpose? ___
  • What parts are complete? ___
  • What parts matter most? ___
  • What can wait? ___
  • Who can check if I'm not sure? ___

Ask for Support Card​

SOME TASKS NEED A TRUSTED ADULT

Ask a trusted adult for support if:

  • the task feels impossible to start again and again
  • you feel unsafe
  • you feel ashamed or scared to ask
  • you cannot access what you need
  • instructions are unclear
  • the problem feels bigger than everyday planning

Asking for support can be part of getting things done.

Executive function tools help with everyday planning, starting, organizing, focusing, recovering, and finishing. They do not replace trusted adults, educators, caregivers, accommodations, medical care, therapy, or qualified support when tasks feel consistently inaccessible, unsafe, or overwhelming.

These cards pair with the eight toolkit lessons, starting with What Is the Job?.