Parents often question if their child is developing normally and functioning independently. The answer lies in the child’s executive functioning skills. Working like traffic lights in our brain, executive function refer to skills that help us think, plan and act in ways that support our learning, relationships and daily life (Center on the Developing Child at Havard University, 2011). They help you stop (impulse control), slow down (think before acting), or go (start tasks). When the lights are working well, traffic flows smoothly and you can navigate your day without accidents. But when the lights malfunction, you may end up stuck, confused, or make poor decisions. These executive functioning skills act as the foundation for success in school, relationships, and daily life (Gibb et al, 2021).
In this article, SPD’s occupational therapist Rachel Chua explores how executive function challenges may affect a child’s learning, daily activities and social relationships. She also highlights some principles that caregivers can pick up to help mitigate these challenges.
Executive Functioning in Learning
Children with executive functioning challenges may find it difficult to remember and follow steps, such as tidying up or completing activities (Ross, 2022). They often forget their belongings, have trouble focusing during lessons, and procrastinate because they are unsure how to begin. They may also find it hard to retain and apply information, like recalling what they learned the day before or what to bring to school or checking their handwriting for letter sizing and legibility (Kaufman, 2010).
Executive Functioning in Social Relationships
These children may also struggle to make friends due to challenges with social skills like sharing, turn-taking, and understanding others’ feelings. They also find it hard to regulate emotions, often reacting impulsively, such as hitting when angry or becoming overly upset about small issues (Gibb et al, 2021). These challenges can lead to conflicts with peers and make forming friendships more difficult.
Executive Functioning in Activities of Daily Living
Everyday tasks or daily living activities may be challenging too. These children may find it hard to sequence and prepare for self-care activities like dressing or packing their school bag (Ross, 2022). Remembering multiple steps in routines, such as washing hands, brushing teeth, or completing chores, can also be challenging. These difficulties can lead to reluctance to start tasks and frustration, often expressed through negative emotions (Center on the Developing Child at Havard University, 2011).
Now that we know the effects of executive functioning challenges in children, here are some principles you can follow to develop children’s skills:
- Routines and Structure: Establishing consistent routines, such as stipulating fixed timing for bedtime, meals, and homework, can help children build organisational and planning skills.
- Modelling: Demonstrate executive functioning skills by talking through how you breakdown tasks into steps or managing emotions. For example, “I make a checklist to help me remember what to do.” and “I am angry right now and need some time to calm down.” These help children feel safe to express themselves, brainstorm ways to solve problems and be more independent in using the skills (Ross, 2022).
Here are some activities to nurture children’s executive skills:
- Organisational Tasks: Foster planning and decision-making by encouraging children to organise toys and clothes or decide where to place items or what to wear.
- Baking or Cooking: Multi-step activities like cooking teach children how to organise and plan by gathering ingredients and completing tasks in sequence.
- Imaginary Play: Pretend play, such as being a doctor treating a patient, helps children adapt to changing scenarios and build mental flexibility.
- Card and Board Games: Games like UNO, SET, Traffic Jam, and Checkers can develop memory, strategy, and social skills.
- Physical Activities: Movement games like “Freeze Dance” and “What Time is It, Mr Fox?” enhance attention, self-control, and working memory.
- Storytelling: Creating stories with pictures strengthens a child’s ability to organise and recall information creatively.
References
Cover image: Freepix
ADDitude. Executive Dysfunction, Explained!
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2011). Building the brain’s air traffic control system: How early experiences shape the development of executive function: Working Paper No. 11. Harvard University.
Educate. Radiate. Elevate. (2023). 5 Strategies to Improve Your Child’s Executive Function Skills.
Focus Therapy. (2023). What are Executive Functioning skills?
Gibb, R., Coelho, L., Van Rootselaar, N. A., Halliwell, C., MacKinnon, M., Plomp, I., & Gonzalez, C. L. R. (2021). Promoting executive function skills in preschoolers using a play-based program. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 720225.
Kaufman, C. (2010). Executive Function in Classroom: Practical Strategies for Improving Performance and Enhancing Skills for All Students. Baltimore: Paul H Brookes.
Rose, M. (2022). Executive Functioning Activities: Exercises and Strategies to Engage Your Child and Help Them Organise Their Thoughts. Oakland: Rockridge Press.
Today’s Parent. (2020). How to know if your kid is struggling with executive functioning skills.
