Executive functions are self-regulating skills we use in everyday life to help us plan, set goals, make decisions, control our emotions, focus, and complete tasks. Among other things, challenges with executive function can make it hard to focus, regulate emotions, and complete tasks in a timely manner. Kids who struggle with executive dysfunction may be having trouble at school, at home, and in their friendships and activities. To help your child foster these important skills, we’re sharing how you can improve executive function in kids.
What Is Executive Function?
Executive function is a set of mental skills that we use everyday. They enable us to plan, focus our attention, remember things, manage our time, and multitask. These skills develop over our lifetime. Developing executive function skills is a slow process that starts when you’re an infant and continues into early adulthood. Kids build their skills through meaningful social interactions and activities, and rely on executive functions for everything from getting dressed to packing their backpack to doing chores.
The main components of executive functions include inhibitory control (self-control), working memory (a type of short-term memory that allows us to work with information without losing track of what we’re doing), and cognitive flexibility or shifting (ability to switch between thinking about different topics). Executive function skills are developed at different rates and can be cultivated or impeded by environmental factors.
Children with executive functioning difficulties may appear to be lazy, avoid tasks that require sustained attention, not complete tasks, and have difficulty focusing on what’s important in the moment. Many children with ADHD have executive functioning issues, as do some children with learning disorders. However, these challenges can present in any child. Children with these challenges can improve their executive functioning skills through parental support as well as professional help if needed.
11 Signs of Executive Function Challenges in Kids at Home
- Tantrums
- Losing their toys, clothing or other items
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Panic when rules or routines change
- Not being able to stay focused on a task, such as homework or chores
- Appear lazy or unmotivated
- Get overly emotional and fixate on things
- Avoid tasks that require sustained attention
- Take way longer to do homework (3 hours vs 30 minutes it would take another student at the same level)
- Needs to hear directions multiple times to do something
- You’re constantly prompting your child to remember things (lunch, homework, etc).
7 Signs of Executive Function Challenges in Kids at School
- Trouble keeping track of schoolwork and staying organized
- Forget to write down assignments
- Have trouble following directions
- Misplace homework
- Can’t work independently on assignments
- Forget what they just heard or read
- Have trouble managing their time
7 Tips to Improve Executive Function in Kids
1. Set Up Routines
Creating routines is a great way to help structure your child’s time, build good habits, and support effective time management skills. Routines can be particularly important for older kids who struggle to get started with their homework. Aim to get started on homework at the same time every day. A good routine would be to come home from school, unpack, have a snack and get started on homework. Consistent morning and nighttime routines are also very beneficial for kids.
2. Write Things Down
You can help improve your child’s working memory by writing things down and making information visible. Use note cards, signs, sticky notes, lists, planners- anything that works! When your child can see the information right in front of them, it can improve his executive functions and help them build their working memory.
3. Create Checklists
It can be really helpful to write out the steps that are necessary for completing a task, as these steps aren’t always obvious to kids who struggle with executive function. Defining the steps clearly ahead of time will make a task less daunting and more manageable. It also removes the mental strain of having to make a decision of what to work on first and in what order. Checklists can be made for everything from your morning routine to homework to chores.
4. Foster Mindfulness
Stress has been found to be one of the biggest things that hinders a child’s executive function. It’s especially detrimental for kids as the executive functions that help us manage stress have not yet developed. Mindfulness is the practice of bringing one’s attention to the present moment. Mindfulness practices can include breathing exercises to gratitude, and kindness towards oneself and others. Mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing kids to manage difficult emotions better.
5. Routine Physical Exercise
Physical exercise has so many mental and physical benefits for your child, including improving their executive functioning. Routine physical activity, such as playing soccer, going to karate or taking a dance class can help build a number of different skills including paying attention, self-control (waiting their turn), and time management (getting to class on time each week). It can also boost your child’s mental health and overall wellbeing.
6. Allow Frequent Breaks
Children with executive function challenges can benefit from frequent breaks. For example 5-10 minute breaks during a longer homework session can help them regulate their mood, maintain focus, and help them complete tasks that may take longer to get done. Shorter breaks are best and shouldn’t be too indulgent (for example playing video games or starting to text with friends) as this will make it harder for them to return to the task at hand.
7. Have Game Days
Card games and board games can exercise a child’s executive function and allow them to practice these skills in different ways. Focus on games that require your child to remember where a certain card is; games where they have to match playing cards; games that require quick responses; and board games that involve strategy and require them to hold a plan in mind for several moves ahead.
If your child is struggling with executive function, these tips can help build their skills.
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