Using Mental Time Travel This School YEAr

Written By Rachel Poirier

Back-to-school season is officially here.

While we’re juggling backpacks, lunchboxes, and schedules, this is also a golden opportunity to help our children strengthen non-verbal working memory, an important Executive Function (EF) skill.

We can think of non-verbal working memory as the ability to mentally time-travel; to reflect on the past (hindsight) and imagine the future (forethought).

It’s what helps us:

  • Learn from successes and challenges

  • Anticipate what’s ahead

  • Plan, prioritize, and follow through

This skill serves as the foundation for many other EF abilities, such as initiating tasks and staying organized. And this year, we can help our children “flex” their non-verbal working memory muscle by guiding them to look back and plan ahead. Here’s how:

At School

Using Hindsight:
Ask your child to think back on last year. When did they feel proud? When did things not go as planned? Reflecting on both helps them recognize strategies that worked, and those that didn’t.

Applying Forethought:
Guide them to imagine what they’d like to be different this year. Do they want to keep track of homework better? Speak up more in class? Chunk those goals into small steps like:

  • Organizing supplies

  • Making a simple study schedule

  • Asking for help when needed

 

With Friends

Using Hindsight:
Talk about friendships from last year. Which felt supportive and fun? Where did conflicts or misunderstandings pop up? Reflecting here builds social awareness.

Applying Forethought:
Encourage your child to picture the kind of friend they want to be this year. Maybe they want to be a better listener, show kindness, or pause before reacting. Help them choose simple, repeatable strategies for positive connections.

 

At Home

Using Hindsight:
Think back on last year’s routines. What made mornings or evenings run smoothly? What created stress or forgetfulness?

Applying Forethought:
Support your child in visualizing a smoother routine. Could they pack their backpack at night? Use a checklist? Set a timer for homework? Work together to set up tools like cues, calendars, or visual schedules that make life easier.

 

By guiding our kids to reflect on the past and plan for the future, we’re nurturing resilience, confidence, and independence. May this school year be one of growth and discovery for everyone!

Rachel Poirier
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Empowerment Through Executive Function