Executive function, or executive functioning is a term used to describe a set of skills that allows individuals to do their tasks effectively. Things like focusing, planning ahead, being flexible, or resourcefulness are all parts of executive function. Perhaps as a parent, or a teacher, you are asking, “How can I improve my child’s executive function?”
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Executive Function for Kids: My Personal Experience
Back in my days of being an SLP, I recall executive function as a skill that occupational therapists work on. I worked in these areas as a form of support for my own speech and communication goals, especially when I embed play and other activities in my sessions.
Fast forward to being a mom of a toddler, I realized that these skills are also important for developing children. It helps in academic preparedness and gives them an opportunity to feel accomplished, thereby instilling confidence.
In this post, I will be sharing some fun executive functioning activities that you and your kids can enjoy while learning at the same time.
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How Can I Improve My Child’s Executive Function: Ways to Help
Fixing puzzles
There are many areas of executive function, and one of the major ones is focus and attention. One of the fun ways to target this skill is through fixing puzzles. You can start with such executive function activities in toddlers by working on wooden form puzzles. These puzzles help children focus on certain areas, and coordinate their minds and bodies to align the right puzzle on its peg.
Once they get older, you can work on more complex jigsaw puzzles with more pieces. Jigsaw puzzles also help in focus and attention, integrating visual details to help in creating the whole picture.
Executive functioning books
Workbooks are also a great way to target certain executive functioning skills such as planning, being flexible, or alternating tasks.
In the workbook, Executive Function for Kids, children explore the different skills they need to succeed in tasks, such as:
- Regulating attention
- Time management
- Planning
- Working memory
- Metacognition
And more. These executive function skills are essential as they start in school, or as they mature in the future in order to stay on top of their tasks.
To get your own copy, please find it on Amazon.
Pretend play games
Pretend play games are just one of the many ways you can have fun while learning executive function skills. Some ways to incorporate pretend play in executive functioning activities for 3 to 5 year olds include:
- Thematic play: Having certain themes such as grocery shopping, cooking, camping, and other types of activities, so your child can learn how to plan or think ahead as they engage during play
- Filling a role: You can also work on metacognition (thinking about thinking) when doing pretend play when you assume a role
- Outdoors: You can also encourage pretend play and executive function skills outdoors such as when playing sports (focus and attention), scavenger hunts (planning), working memory (treasure hunts, mystery maze, etc.)
Conversation
Last but not the least, conversation is also a wonderful way to targe executive functioning. For example, you can start on certain executive function activities by engaging your child in conversations such as procedures in cooking, planning what to do over the weekend, or thinking about the way they think when resolving conflict or problems.
I hope these simple suggestions can help you with your question, “How can I improve my child’s executive function?” As always, you can check out the Executive Function for Kids workbook on Amazon:
Also read:
How to Teach Adjectives to Young Learners: Fun, Easy Ways
More Than Hearing: Auditory Processing Disorder Treatment Strategies To Do
How to Improve Critical Thinking in Children: What to Do
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