Executive Function

Expert tips for building and strengthening these everyday skills

WORDS GINA MAYFIELD

WHEN IT COMES TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT, there’s a laundry list of trendy buzzwords for parents to keep up with, but some of those terms hold real meaning and importance. Case in point: “Executive Functioning.” But what exactly does that mean and why does it matter?

“Executive functioning is an umbrella term that describes the set of skills that are needed to execute—hence, ‘executive’—tasks,” says Leda Owens, a licensed professional counselor and the director of ADHD & Learning Services at The Housson Center, which provides psychological and educational services in Dallas. Owens helped develop the curriculum for the center’s Executive Function Counseling and Training program, which helps bolster children’s executive functioning skillset.

Owens describes executive functioning as the management system of our brains, including skills for:• Self-control• Working memory• Self-monitoring• Organization• Planning• Sustaining or shifting attention• Managing emotions

“Executive functions are foundational for a child’s academic success,” says Owens. They are also needed for navigating social relationships and completing daily routines and activities at home, she explains.

Skill Development

Children aren’t born with these skills, but they have the potential to develop them. Some may need more guidance and support than others.

Executive functioning typically develops rapidly from ages 3 to 5, then peaks again during the adolescent and early adult years. As parents, we can label these skills and put words around them, both when there’s a problem and when the skills are used properly. “In young children, we focus on more environmental changes and parent cues,” Owens says. Here are two of her approaches for parents:

• Instant Replay: For difficulties with self-control, describe an instant replay (the before, during and after) of what you witnessed and give the child an opportunity to repair the situation.

• Preventative Teaching: Going over what is expected immediately prior to an activity serves as a reminder. If your child struggles with working memory weakness, be sure to provide your instructions one at a time and have the child repeat them back to you.

For older children, you can transition to “prompting” and encouraging your children to cue themselves. Owens suggests questions like:

• Do you have everything you need to get started and complete your homework?

• What are you going to do to limit distractions and stay focused on this activity?

“An important goal for the child is to become a self-advocate,” Owens says. “This starts with having an awareness and acceptance of the challenges, then knowing when and how to do so and practicing language to seek help.”

For all ages, sleep and exercise are important for brain development—as well as mental and physical health—especially those predisposed to executive functioning weaknesses.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING & NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning differences, or even emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression struggle with cognitive processes.

“Research has shown up to a 30% delay in executive functioning in children with ADHD,” Owens says. “So a 12-year-old student may be functioning more similarly to an 8-year-old when considering their ability to keep track of materials, sustain attention, manage their time, initiate and complete tasks and plan ahead.”

A child’s limitations often lead to misunderstanding and frustration between children and the adult in their lives, but parents don’t have to navigate those feelings alone.

When To Bring In A Professional

If you have exhausted your own abilities to work with your child on these skills and if you’re noticing their challenges impact their academics, social life, self-confidence or general mood, it’s time to seek professional help.

“Ongoing challenges have the potential to snowball into greater hurdles,” Owens says. “Parenting does not exist in a vacuum and there are many resources available to support this journey. Therapists trained in executive functioning can set goals and teach specific behaviors to the child, while including parents in the process.” Owens says she’s found that identifying the child’s motivations through a strengths-based lens supports their acceptance of strategies and understanding for why they need to approach something differently.

PUTTING THE FUN IN EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING

Let’s take a look at some practical—and enjoyable—ways parents can support and strengthen these skills in their children, knowing that the best approach takes the individual child’s strengths and struggles into account.

PRESCHOOLERS AGES 4–5

Children’s executive functioning skills grow rapidly during these years as they learn rules and structure. Imaginary play, reading aloud, storytelling, movement and song all help build their skillset. Be sure to provide plenty of opportunity for physical and outdoor play as well.

GAMES THAT INVOLVE

• Matching and sorting• Patterns• Memory

PLAY

• Follow the Leader• Simon Says• Duck, Duck, Goose

SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

It’s important to increasingly challenge kids, but at a pace that’s not too demanding. Sports like soccer become popular during these years and provide opportunities to learn strategies, make fast decisions and adapt to changing situations. Don’t forget about music and songs that can be played in the car with singalongs that can build working memory. Plus, learning to play a musical instrument or getting involved in choir or dance involves focus, working memory and plenty of coordination.

CARD & BOARD GAMES

• Cards: Concentration, Go Fish, Old Maid, etc. and later rummy, even poker and mahjong• Checkers• Chess• Connect Four• Jenga• Uno

PHYSICAL GAMES & ACTIVITIES

• Freeze Dance• Red Light-Green Light• Musical Chairs• Jump rope (songs and chants included!)

PEN & PAPER

• Crossword puzzles• Sudoku• Mazes• Word Finds

ADOLESCENCE 13-16

As children in this age group continue to develop their executive functioning skills, there are plenty of opportunities to help them through managing their schoolwork, extracurriculars and even part-time jobs.

• Goal setting: Plan and save for a big purchase, spring break vacation or even a birthday party together—any “special something” that’s meaningful to your child.

• Activities: Get your children involved in physical activities that involve focused attention and skill development. Think sports teams and martial arts, theater and music, even yoga and meditation.

• Study skills: Teach your children how to map out a project, schedule their time and keep a calendar or planner.

For all age groups, even cooking and baking works as a form of “play.” Be sure to include the grocery list, shopping, gathering of ingredients, measuring, etc. With any of these age groups, model flexible, adaptable thinking when things don’t go as planned.

“There is potential in every child, and I encourage you to be an expert on your child’s unique set of strengths and weaknesses,” Owens says. “Emphasize, highlight and give opportunities to draw on their innate talents, while working to strengthen their areas of difficulty. Executive functions continue to develop into adulthood. Remember, we’re looking for progress, not perfection.”

3 STRATEGIES TO HELP EXECUTIVE FUNCTION PROBLEMS

The National Center for Children with Learning Disabilities offers these methods to try when children struggle with executive function:

1. Use visuals. Ask for written directions with oral instructions, prepare visual schedules, create checklists and to-do lists. Visual calendars can also help with long-term assignments and due dates.

2. Manage time. Break long assignments into chunks and take a step-by-step approach. Use watches and alarms.

3. Manage space. Organize workspaces by minimizing clutter and scheduling a weekly time to tidy.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Check out these workbooks to help kids of all ages develop executive functioning skills.

FOR KIDS AGES 6 TO 9:

With 40 hands-on games and activities, the Executive Functioning Workbook for Kids, by Dr. Sharon Grand, helps children improve skills like memory and flexible thinking.

FOR KIDS AGES 9 TO 12:

The Executive Functioning Workbook for Kids, by Roy D. Pan, is unlike a conventional workbook. This kid-friendly version follows a storyline, teaching kids skills to plan and prioritize while helping an adorable cat.

FOR TWEENS AND TEENS:

With actionable strategies and straightforward advice, Focus and Thrive, by Laurie Chaikind McNulty, helps seventh-graders and up build executive function skills and recognize where they struggle.