7.2: Daily Skills

Executive Functioning Skills Overview

Executive functioning refers to a set of mental processes that enable children to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks successfully. These skills are primarily controlled by the prefrontal cortex and continue to develop throughout childhood and adolescence. Strong executive functioning supports academic success, emotional regulation, social interactions, and independence. As children grow, particularly around age 6 and beyond, these skills become more refined, allowing them to transition from reactive to more thoughtful and intentional behavior. Understanding the key components of executive functioning can help educators and caregivers support children’s development in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.

Key Skills

• Working Memory
  • The ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind for a short period.
  • Example: Remembering multi-step instructions, solving math problems in your head, or recalling details from a story.
• Cognitive Flexibility (Flexible Thinking)
  • The ability to adjust thinking and switch between tasks when needed.
  • Example: Adapting to new rules in a game, adjusting to schedule changes, or finding different ways to solve a problem.
• Inhibitory Control (Self-Control)
  • The ability to resist impulses and distractions to stay focused on a task.
  • Example: Waiting for a turn in a game, following rules in class, or stopping oneself from interrupting a conversation.
• Planning and Organization
  • The ability to set goals, develop a strategy, and keep track of materials or time to complete tasks.
  • Example: Organizing a backpack, breaking down a school project into steps, or preparing for a test in advance.
• Task Initiation
  • The ability to start a task without excessive procrastination or hesitation.
  • Example: Beginning homework without constant reminders or starting chores independently.
• Time Management
  • The ability to estimate time, prioritize tasks, and complete them within deadlines.
  • Example: Finishing an assignment on time, pacing oneself during a test, or balancing schoolwork and play.
• Emotional Regulation
  • The ability to manage emotions effectively and respond to situations appropriately.
  • Example: Staying calm when losing a game, handling frustration when a task is difficult, or expressing feelings appropriately.
• Self-Monitoring (Metacognition)
  • The ability to assess one’s own performance and adjust behaviors accordingly.
  • Example: Realizing a mistake in a math problem and correcting it, recognizing when to ask for help, or evaluating personal strengths and weaknesses.

Why Are Executive Functioning Skills Important?

Strong executive functioning skills are essential for success in school, work, and life. They help children:

• Stay focused in class and complete assignments.
• Follow instructions and adapt to changing situations.
• Solve problems independently and make good decisions.
• Manage emotions and interact positively with others.
• Develop independence and responsibility.

How Can Executive Functioning Skills Be Strengthened?

• Practice routines (e.g., having a structured bedtime or morning checklist).
• Use visual aids (e.g., calendars, planners, and to-do lists).
• Play strategy-based games (e.g., chess, puzzles, or memory games).
• Encourage mindfulness and self-reflection (e.g., deep breathing exercises, journaling).
• Break tasks into smaller steps to make them more manageable.

Building Executive Functioning

Helping school-age children develop executive functioning skills is essential for their academic success, social interactions, and overall independence. One of the most effective ways to strengthen these skills is by establishing structured routines. Predictable schedules help children learn time management, task initiation, and organization, reducing the likelihood of procrastination or forgetfulness. Parents and teachers can encourage the use of visual aids such as calendars, checklists, and planners to help children break tasks into manageable steps. Providing clear instructions and modeling organizational habits—such as packing a backpack the night before school—helps children practice planning and sequencing, which are key components of executive functioning. In addition to structured routines, engaging children in games and activities that challenge their thinking can significantly enhance executive functioning. Games like chess, memory card games, and puzzles improve working memory and cognitive flexibility, while interactive role-playing games encourage problem-solving and adaptability. Encouraging children to set personal goals, whether for academics or extracurricular activities, can help develop self-monitoring and perseverance. When children learn to reflect on their progress and adjust their approach, they build important skills like self-regulation and flexible thinking. Providing opportunities for decision-making, such as allowing them to plan a family outing or choose a project topic, further reinforces independence and responsibility. Building executive functioning skills also involves teaching children emotional regulation and impulse control. Strategies like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, and positive self-talk help children manage frustration and stay focused on tasks. Encouraging them to talk about their emotions and problem-solve through conflicts strengthens their ability to navigate social situations and control impulses. Praise and reinforcement should focus on effort rather than outcome, helping children develop resilience and a growth mindset. By providing consistent support, opportunities for practice, and positive reinforcement, parents and educators can help children build strong executive functioning skills that will benefit them throughout life.