Executive functioning is a set of cognitive skills that help us regulate our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. These skills are essential for academic success and everyday life. They include skills like planning, organization, time management, task initiation, working memory, self-regulation, and flexible thinking. While some students may struggle more than others with executive functioning, all students can benefit from developing these skills. In this post, we'll explore why executive functioning is important for all students and provide some strategies for helping them improve.
Why is executive functioning important? Executive functioning plays a crucial role in academic achievement. Students with strong executive functioning skills are better able to plan and organize their work, initiate tasks, sustain attention, manage their time effectively, and complete assignments with less stress and frustration. They are also more likely to persevere in the face of challenges and adapt to new situations. But executive functioning is not just important for academic success. It is also important for success in life. Adults with strong executive functioning skills are more likely to achieve their goals, maintain healthy relationships, and cope with stress and adversity. How can we help students improve their executive functioning?
There are several strategies that educators and parents can use to help students improve their executive functioning skills. Here are a few ideas:
Teach explicit executive functioning skills: Educators can teach specific executive functioning skills, such as planning, organization, time management, and self-regulation, through explicit instruction and modeling.
Provide opportunities for practice: Students need opportunities to practice their executive functioning skills in a variety of contexts. Teachers can provide structured practice in the classroom and encourage students to use these skills in other settings, such as at home and in extracurricular activities.
Use visual aids: Visual aids can help students with executive functioning challenges understand and organize information. Teachers can use graphic organizers, checklists, and visual schedules to help students plan, organize, and track their work.
Break tasks into manageable steps: Large tasks can be overwhelming for students with executive functioning challenges. Teachers can help by breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and providing clear instructions and deadlines.
Build in opportunities for movement: Movement can help students with executive functioning challenges regulate their attention and energy levels. Teachers can build in opportunities for movement throughout the day, such as brain breaks and physical activity breaks.
In conclusion, executive functioning is a critical set of skills that all students need to succeed in school and in life. By teaching explicit executive functioning skills, providing opportunities for practice, using visual aids, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and building in opportunities for movement, educators and parents can help all students develop these important skills. These skills can be addressed in your child's IEP as goals areas and accommodations.