Executive Functioning

WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING?

Executive Functioning refers to the cognitive processes that help individuals manage thier thoughts, actions, & emotions. It is like the brain's control center, enabling people to plan, organize, prioritize, and regulate their behavior. These skills are crucial for success in various aspects of life: school, work, social interactions.

Components of Executive Functioning:

Working Memory: remember instructions

Cognitive Flexibility: switch between tasks, consider a different perspective

Inhibitory Control: resist impulses, control one's behavior

Planning & Organizing: manage time effectively

Self-Monitoring: Adjust behaviors as needed

Emotional Regulation: manage & control emotions

Initiation: start tasks & activities without delay or prompting

WHY DO EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS MATTER?

Proficient executive functioning skills allow...

a child's brain to better learn the academic skills being taught in class
a child to have more success when socializing with peers. Students with weak executive functioning skills often have more arguments with peers and can be very distracting to thier peers
for a stronger classroom dynamic

🏠 THE ROLE OF HOME ROUTINES 🏠

Research shows predictable home routines & healthy screen habits greatly support a child’s brain development, especially in the areas related to focus and self-control.

Executive Functioning Skills are sometimes called "school readiness." These skills are largely influenced by at home happenings.

Little things you do at home make a big difference in how your child learns and grows at school.

THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIA ON THE BRAIN

Just 9 minutes of exposure to fast-paced media/shows and/or violent video games can impair a child's executive functioning skills.

In a study comparing students...

15% of the children who watched fast paced media were able to complete the EF task
35% of the children who watched slow paced media were able to complete the EF task
70% of the children who spent the time drawing were able to complete the EF task

SUMMARY

When having your child engage in screen time, choose slow paced shows & limit screen time.

Studies show that slow paced shows do not impair a child’s executive functioning skills as much as fast paced shows do.

For children 5 years or younger, the recommended limit of screen time is less than 1 hour a day.

A study showed that every hour watched per day by children aged 1–3 increased their risk of attention problems by age 7.

Eliminate or greatly reduce a child's access to fast-paced media, which bypasses the brain's need to practice executive functioning skills & affects dopamine systems like delay of gratification & impulse control.

Over time, this can weaken neural pathways related to executive functioning.
Long term consumption of fast-paced media is associated with lower academic achievement., likely due to impaired attention, working memory, & study habits.

I can be helpful to think of fast-paced media like fast food: Once in a while, fast food might be okay, but daily fast food as a habit can change how the body (in this case your child’s brain) functions over time.

Youtube Videos & Reels (especially unboxing videos & videos of another child building/playing with a toy)

Blippi

Paw Patrol (episodes filmed in 2019 or after)

Fortnite

Roblox

PJ Mask

Cocomelon

Ladybug & Cat Noir

Teen Titans Go!

Larva Island

Minecraft - Survival Mode

Wild Kratts

Magic School Bus Rides Again

Octonauts

Arthur

Clifford

Little Bear

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

Bluey

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

LEGO Builder's Journey

Mouse & Cheese Maze / Thinkrolls Series

Minecraft - Creative Mode

WHAT DO PROFICIENT EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS LOOK LIKE?

Executive Functioning skills develop gradually from early childhood through young adulthood (about 25 years old) as the brain, especially the prefrontal cortex, matures.

🌱 Early Childhood (Ages 3–5)

At the start of Kindergarten, children are expected to...

Attention & Focus: focus on a simple task for 5-10 minutes
Working Memory: follow 1–2 step directions
Impulse control: maintain a safe body, raise hand
Emotional regulation: regulate emotions - recognize big problems vs small problems, respond appropriately to each, not have tantrums
Cognitive Flexibility: transition from one task to another, share
Task Initiation: start tasks with minimal reminders
Planning & Organizing: know where things belong

🧒 Early Elementary (Ages 6–8)

At the start of first grade, children are expected to...

Attention & Focus: focus on simple tasks for 10-20 minutes (examples of simple tasks: coloring, reading/looking at books, writing a story, working on a puzzle)
Working Memory: follow 2-3 step instructions
Impulse Control: raise hand; use kind language; maintain a safe body
Emotional Regulation: name a feeling; recognize big vs medium vs small problems and appropriate respondes to each
Task initiation & Completion: start familiar tasks independently
Cognitive Flexibility: transition from one task to another with ease, understand different rules apply to different places, work cooperatively.

👧 Late Elementary (Ages 9–11)

Starting in 3rd grade, students are expected to...

Impulse control: identify cause & effect of actions and act appropriately
Attention: sustain focus on both preferred and non-preferred tasks for 30+ mins.
Working memory: recall multi-step instructions and directions.
Planning & organization: plan small projects with guidance
Time management: understanding how long tasks take
Self-monitoring: check work for mistakes with prompting

👦 Middle School (Ages 12–14)

Impulse control & emotional regulation: This can be tested by social/emotional changes
Planning: manage more complex assignments but may still need support.
Organization: capable of managing materials and multiple classes - with reminders.
Time management: can estimate time and manage short deadlines.

➡️ Support: Weekly planning check-ins, routines for organizing homework

🧑 High School (Ages 15–18)

Abstract thinking: Can set goals, plan ahead, and reflect on outcomes.
Time management: Can juggle longer-term deadlines and priorities (with practice).
Self-monitoring: Can identify mistakes or off-task behavior more independently.
Flexibility: Better able to adjust plans and handle setbacks.

HOW TO BEST SUPPORT A CHILD DEVELOP THEIR EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS...

Stick To A Consistent Routine - use visual timers

Encourage Play That Builds Focus (puzzles; legos; red light, green light)

Talk about Thinking - talking about the cause & effect of choices made

Be Mindful of Screen Habits - eliminate or greatly reduce a child's access to fast-paced media

Practice Waiting & Patience - it fosters creativity & problem solving

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