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Why Is Starting So Hard?

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Lesson Plan

Task Initiation Unlocked Lesson Plan

Students will understand common feelings and challenges associated with starting tasks and learn strategies to overcome these "brain blocks" to improve task initiation skills.

This lesson is crucial for building self-awareness and empathy around executive function difficulties. By normalizing the experience of struggling to start tasks, students gain valuable tools and confidence to manage these challenges effectively in their daily lives.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and a hands-on activity.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Small sticky notes, The Starting Line Slide Deck, Share Your Start Story Discussion Guide, and Brain Block Busters Activity Sheet

Prep

Prepare Materials and Classroom

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: The Starting Line (5 min)

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "Who here has ever found it really hard to start something, even if you knew you had to do it? (Like homework, cleaning your room, or even starting a game?)"
  • Have students do a quick show of hands or a thumbs up/down.
  • Encourage a few students to briefly share what they found hard to start (not why yet).

Step 2

Introduction: Brain Blocks (10 min)

10 minutes

  • Present The Starting Line Slide Deck, focusing on slides that introduce task initiation and the concept of "brain blocks" – those feelings or thoughts that make starting difficult.
  • Facilitate a discussion using prompts from the Share Your Start Story Discussion Guide. Encourage students to share their experiences and feelings openly, emphasizing that everyone struggles with this sometimes.

Step 3

Activity: Brain Block Busters (15 min)

15 minutes

  • Introduce the Brain Block Busters Activity Sheet.
  • Explain that students will identify a specific task they've been putting off, describe the "brain block" making it hard to start, and then brainstorm a "brain block buster" strategy to overcome it.
  • Have students work individually or in small groups to complete their activity sheets.
  • Provide sticky notes for students to write down their identified "brain block" and their "buster" strategy. (One idea per sticky note).

Step 4

Share & Reflect (8 min)

8 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
  • Have students share some of their "brain blocks" and their "brain block buster" strategies.
  • Write down common "brain blocks" and effective "buster" strategies on the whiteboard or chart paper.
  • Highlight any creative or particularly helpful strategies.
  • Emphasize that there are many ways to tackle a task and that finding what works for them is key.

Step 5

Cool Down: One New Tool (2 min)

2 minutes

  • Ask students to think about one new strategy or idea they learned today that they might try next time they face a "brain block."
  • Have them do a quick share-out (e.g.,
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Slide Deck

The Starting Line: Why is Starting So Hard?

Ever felt stuck before you even began?

Greet students and start with the engaging title. Ask them if they ever feel like the title describes their day.

What is Task Initiation?

It's simply about getting started on a task, big or small!

Like:

  • Starting homework
  • Beginning a drawing
  • Helping with chores

Define task initiation in simple terms. Ask for examples of tasks they have to start regularly.

Ever Feel Like This?

Sometimes, our brains just don't want to cooperate!

Does this picture feel familiar? What tasks make you feel this way?

Encourage students to relate to the feeling. Ask: "When does it feel like this for you?"

"Brain Blocks"

Those tricky feelings or thoughts that make it hard to start are called 'Brain Blocks.'

It's like your brain puts up a little wall!

Introduce the term "Brain Blocks." Explain it's a common feeling, not a personal failing.

Common Brain Blocks

  1. "Too Big!" (The task feels overwhelming)
  2. "Don't Know Where to Start!" (No clear first step)
  3. "Worried About Mistakes!" (Fear of not doing it perfectly)
  4. "Just Don't Feel Like It!" (Lack of motivation)

Discuss these common brain blocks. Ask students to identify which ones they experience most often.

We CAN Bust These Blocks!

Good news! We can learn strategies to break through these brain blocks.

Today, we'll become 'Brain Block Busters'!

Transition to the idea of problem-solving. This sets up the upcoming activity.

Ready to Share Your Story and Bust Some Blocks?

Let's talk about our experiences and then find some awesome solutions together!

Prepare students for the discussion and activity that follows.

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Discussion

Share Your Start Story: Discussion Guide

Objective: To create a safe space for students to share their experiences with task initiation challenges and realize these feelings are common.

Discussion Prompts:

  1. Think about a time recently when you had something you needed to do, but you just couldn't seem to start. What was that task?










  2. How did it feel when you were having trouble starting? (e.g., frustrated, tired, worried, confused, bored, overwhelmed?) Use one or two words to describe it.





  3. When you finally did start, what helped you take that first step?










  4. Why do you think it's sometimes so hard for our brains to just begin a task, even if we know it needs to get done?










  5. (Optional) Has anyone ever surprised themselves by how easy a task was after they finally started it, even if starting felt really hard?





Teacher Notes:

  • Encourage active listening and respectful sharing.
  • Validate all feelings shared by students.
  • Emphasize that many people, even adults, struggle with task initiation.
  • Connect student experiences to the "brain blocks" discussed in the The Starting Line Slide Deck.
  • If students are reluctant to share personal examples, you can start with a general example (e.g., "Imagine you have a big Lego project...").
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Activity

Brain Block Busters: Your Mission to Get Unstuck!

Sometimes our brains get stuck when we need to start something. These are called "brain blocks"! Your mission is to identify a brain block and find a way to bust it.

Part 1: Your Tricky Task & Brain Block

  1. What is ONE task you need to start soon but are finding tricky to begin? (Examples: cleaning your desk, starting a big art project, beginning a long homework assignment, organizing your backpack, writing a story)





  2. What kind of "Brain Block" is making it hard to start this task? (Circle or write down your brain block. You can choose more than one!)

    • Too Big! (The task feels overwhelming)
    • Don't Know Where to Start! (No clear first step)
    • Worried About Mistakes! (Fear of not doing it perfectly)
    • Just Don't Feel Like It! (Lack of motivation/boredom)
    • Other: __________________________________________________________________




Part 2: Your Brain Block Buster!

Now, brainstorm a "Brain Block Buster" strategy to help you start this task.

  • If your block is "Too Big!": How can you break it into tiny, super-small steps? (e.g., "Just do the first 5 minutes," "Only find one book for my report")



  • If your block is "Don't Know Where to Start!": What's the very first tiny thing you could do? (e.g., "Get out my supplies," "Read the first sentence")



  • If your block is "Worried About Mistakes!": What if you just tried to do a "rough draft" or "practice run" first? Who could you ask for help? What's the worst that could happen, and how can you fix it?



  • If your block is "Just Don't Feel Like It!": Can you make it fun? Can you reward yourself after you start for a few minutes? Can you do it with a friend? What's one small reason you do want to get it done?



  • My Brain Block Buster Strategy (Write or draw your idea!):










Ready to share? Write your Brain Block and your Brain Block Buster on two separate sticky notes!

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