Get Executive Function Checklist

Self-regulation – managing strong emotions and inhibiting impulsive behaviors. Attention – sustaining focus, especially for multi-part tasks. Task Initiation – starting a non-preferred task. Organization – maintaining materials at home and in school.

Can executive functioning skills be taught? Yes. Executive functioning skills are malleable. This means that we, as educators, can help kids and teens improve these skills over time.

Playing a musical instrument, singing, and dancing all improve attention, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition. Brain teasers, crossword puzzles, math and number puzzles, The Sentence Zone, and spatial puzzles like Rubik's Cubes improve working memory, mental flexibility, and cognitive flexibility.

One simple way to help kids learn about executive functioning skills is just to talk about them and highlight them on a regular basis. Remind them when they are using self-control to stop and think before answering a question. Encourage a student who organizes their binder during downtime in class.

The eight executive functions exist with some overlap (as you'll see in the checklist), but are usually categorized as follows: Response inhibition (aka impulse control) Planning & prioritizing. Emotional control. Mental flexibility. Working memory. Task initiation. Self-monitoring. Organization.

Executive functioning skills facilitate the behaviors required to plan and achieve goals. The fundamental skills related to executive function include proficiency in adaptable thinking, planning, self-monitoring, self-control, working memory, time management, and organization.

Some easy ways to help students improve executive function include: Post a daily schedule. Clear and consistent routines and procedures offer structure to students. Provide visual supports such as posters with problem-solving steps or routines, and color-coded schedules and folders.

Some easy ways to help students improve executive function include: Post a daily schedule. ... Provide visual supports such as posters with problem-solving steps or routines, and color-coded schedules and folders. ... Minimize clutter and create clearly defined areas in the classroom.