Executive functioning

Executive functioning skills are a set of cognitive processes and mental processes that help us manage our thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals. Key components of executive functioning include:

• Planning and Organisation: The ability to plan tasks and organise activities effectively. 
• Focus and Attention: Staying focused on tasks and resisting distractions. 
• Memory: Remembering instructions and information. 
• Impulse Control: Regulating emotions and controlling impulses. 
• Time Management: Estimating how long tasks will take and completing them on time. 

Together, these skills help us to plan ahead to meet goals and concentrate on a task despite distractions or following multiple-step directions. They allow us to pay attention, organise, remember information, transition between thoughts and actions, and regulate our behaviour and emotions. Executive functioning skills are thought to originate in our brain’s prefrontal cortex, an area that is developing during childhood and adolescence. Your child may have impaired executive functioning skills if they have difficulty with the following:

• starting or finishing tasks
• following multiple steps of a task
• keeping their belongings organised
• making decisions
• managing emotions and impulse control
• problem solving
• remembering information

You can help improve your child’s executive functioning by trying the following:

Improve Time Management

Set realistic time limits when your child is doing a task. Use visual timers, clocks and planners to organise activities and tasks. Using visual timers when doing homework is a great way to manage time and improve concentration and focus.

Build Focus and Attention

Using fidget tools and practising mindfulness may assist to keep your child be present in the moment and reduce distractions. If activities, such as homework are overwhelming, try breaking down tasks into smaller chunks that are easier and more manageable. Using a ‘first, then’ visual and ask questions such as ‘what do you need to do next?’

Create structure and Routine

Try to keep a consistent family routine as much as possible. Use a family calendar to track activities and events, and display in a common area of the house so children can refer to. Use visual schedules to display and organise everyday tasks, for example, have a morning checklist that includes all the jobs needed to do to get ready for school.

Support Memory

Play memory/ card matching games with your child. Ask them to repeat a list of items, for example a list of food that are needed at your next visit to the shops. Tell a short story and ask your child to provide a retell or ask them to tell you recall events from the school day.

For more information on executive functioning and your child, please click on the link below

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/building-the-brains-air-traffic-control-system-how-early-experiences-shape-the-development-of-executive-function

Leanne Watson

Guidance Officer

Student Wellbeing 

Enoggera State School - Thursday and Friday

lwats128@eq.edu.au