Executive Function Skills: what they are, why they’re important, and how children develop them
Executive function skills are a set of skills that help us carry out everyday tasks, make good decisions, behave well, learn, manage emotions, and get along with others. They include:
- paying attention
- organizing
- prioritizing
- planning ahead
- staying focused
- remembering
- meeting goals
- starting and finishing tasks
The three categories of executive functions are:
- Inhibitory control: demonstrating self-control and impulse-control
- Working memory: holding information and recalling it when needed
- Cognitive flexibility: being adjustable in our thinking, which is important for problem solving and seeing another person’s point of view
While executive function skills are important for everyone, they are an especially important aspect of children’s early learning and development, and correlate with their social, academic, and life success. Children are not born with these skills; they need to be developed over time and with practice. Adults can help children develop executive function skills by providing routines, being supportive, role-modeling appropriate behaviors, and providing children with time and materials for play.
Here are some age-appropriate activities that help foster the development of executive function skills in children:
Birth – 1 ½: finger plays and games like peekaboo
1 ½ -3 years: songs with movement, sorting/matching games, and imaginary play
3-5 years: memory games, storytelling, games such as “Follow the Leader” or “Simon Says”
5-7 years: card and board games, and games such as “Red Light, Green Light” and “Musical Chairs”
7-12 years: card and board games, organized sports, and learning to play an instrument
Adolescents: Sports, yoga, meditation, strategy games, and using a planner and checklists
For a comprehensive list of activities that enhance executive function skill by age, visit Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child:
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.