Executive Function is a set of three cognitive processes - Working Memory, Inhibitory Control, and Cognitive Flexibility - that work together to allow us to plan, focus, and multitask for the successful completion of day-to-day tasks.
Elements of Executive Function
Working Memory
Working Memory is the ability to hold information in the mind and work with it. That is, information that is no longer perceptible. There are two types of Working Memory - verbal and visual spatial. Verbal Working Memory is responsible for the temporary conservation and manipulation of verbal information. Visual Spatial Working Memory is the ability to hold and manipulate visual information for short periods of time. That information includes objects and physical surroundings. Both forms of Working Memory are critical for the comprehension of information over time.
The ability to watch a movie and connect the events in the first scene with the motivation of the characters in the final scene is a function of Working Memory. Without the ability to hold the information in the mind for the duration of the movie, each scene would appear independent from the last and the movie would lack meaning as whole. The same is true for reading, listening to a story or a lecture, or when receiving verbal instructions. The ability to complete computations mentally, organize information, and identify the parts of a whole are also a function of Working Memory.
Although Working Memory is mostly associated with academic tasks, these same skills are also relevant to functioning in a social capacity. Being able to interpret a classmate’s actions over time, the ability to understand what others are saying, the ability to consider alternatives for a response, and being able to recall and apply past experiences to present decision-making, can greatly impact a student's social success.
| Working Memory | |
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| The ability to hold information in the mind and work with it | |
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Working Memory makes it possible to...
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Weak Working Memory skills may result in…
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Inhibitory Control
Inhibitory Control is the ability to control impulses (Center). These impulses include actions - the ability to resist temptation, controlling behavior, and resisting spontaneous reaction to stimuli. Being able to suppress unwanted thoughts, to ignore distractions, and to choose what to focus on are also functions of Inhibitory Control. Children with more effective Inhibitory Control are more likely to abstain from risky behaviors as teenagers - such as using drugs or smoking - and are more likely to have better overall physical health in adulthood (Diamond). That’s because the same Internal Control that keeps a child in his seat when he is excited or enables him to stick with a challenging task will help him deny the immediate gratification of risky behaviors as a teenager, and, in adulthood, will aid in making healthy versus tasty and convenient food choices.
| Inhibitory Control | |
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| The ability to control one's impulses | |
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Inhibitory Control makes it possible to...
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Weak Inhibitory Control skills may result in…
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Cognitive Flexibility
Cognitive Flexibility is the ability to change tasks, adjust to changed demands, changed priorities, and changed perspectives (Center). In the classroom, Cognitive Flexibility enables a student to clean up the crayons before finishing a drawing or line up for a fire drill without any previous warning. It also helps students to self-assess their progress, problem-solve, and change plans if necessary. Cognitive Flexibility allows people to see things from different perspectives - both spatially and inter-personally. For that reason it is part of what enables someone to admit to wrongdoing (Diamond).
| Cognitive Flexibility | |
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| The ability to shift one’s thinking from one concept to another | |
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Cognitive Flexibility makes it possible to...
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Weak Cognitive Flexibility skills may result in…
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Executive Dysfunction
| Conditions Associated With Executive Dysfunction |
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Psychiatric Disorders
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders
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Acquired Brain Injury
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Other
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Problems with Executive Function, or Executive Dysfunction, look different for different people. There is not one reason or cause for Executive Dysfunction, and, as is the case for all learning differences, individuals should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for their own strengths and weaknesses.
Executive Dysfunction is not a diagnosis, but rather a symptom or deficit that exists co-morbidly with other conditions. People with psychiatric disorders such as depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia (Elliott), and obsessive compulsive disorder (Snyder), often experience difficulties in executive function. People with neurodevelopmental disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and Dyslexia (Morin), will experience difficulties in executive function skills. Executive functions are located primarily in the frontal lobe of the brain. Damage to this area through acquired brain injury (stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia), can also have an impact on these functions (Center).
Early abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence, which cause toxic stress, has been shown to disrupt the development of the brain, having an impact on executive functions. Even newly chaotic, highly stressful environments can impact a child’s executive abilities, “even in situations (like school) where they may in fact be safe” (Center). Prenatal exposure to alcohol has been shown to affect executive functions in individuals, even in those who do not have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Supporting the Development of Executive Function
Although the conditions associated with Executive Dysfunction are typically present throughout life, working to strengthen these skills is beneficial for all students, regardless of their level of function. Having strong Executive Function skills is an asset to all students’ physical, mental, and social well-being. By creating a positive learning environment, scaffolding instruction to meet students where they are at developmentally, and providing supportive play opportunities, children can develop these skills and learn strategies to address areas of need.
Create a Positive Learning Environment
Creating a positive learning environment is the first step to developing Executive Function skills. A positive learning environment sets students up to be as successful as possible. Relaxed students are easier to engage, more focused, and more productive. The physical environment and class dynamic can be adjusted to help all students feel safe and ready to learn.
Although the condition of a classroom or building cannot be changed, the removal of clutter, keeping the classroom clean and organized, and eliminating distracting decorations from the classroom can help students feel safe and secure. A sense of belonging can be developed through scheduled clean-up times. Allowing students to decorate a bulletin board or to hang their artwork in the classroom can help students feel empowered and valued within the community. Just remember to keep the focus area of the classroom - the place where the teacher typically stands during direct instruction or the direction students face while seated in their desks - free of distractions.
Establish clear expectations for the class. Class rules let students know what to expect when they walk into a room which minimizes stress levels and make students more ready to learn. Not only can they monitor and adjust their own behavior, students are more likely to relax if they feel safe and cared for. Consistently enforcing the class rules lets the students know that the teacher is in control and that they are safe.
Clear academic expectations and goals give students a purpose for their work. They are better able to adjust their approach and seek help appropriately. Giving students this control is empowering, engaging, and promotes student independence.
| Scaffolding Strategies at a Glance | |
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| Model Expectations |
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| Assess/Access Student Knowledge |
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| Use Visual Aids |
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| Teach Vocabulary |
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Provide Scaffolded Support
Scaffolded assignments provide students with a framework and a tool for completing academic tasks. Scaffolding allows for challenging yet attainable goals by meeting students where they are at developmentally, building upon students’ strength, and providing a support in areas of weakness that may otherwise hinder progress. Engaging students at this level not only strengthens Executive Function skills, but it promotes autonomy and further enhances the overall student/learning dynamic.
Scaffolding requires a good amount of legwork prior to teaching, but most teachers apply many of these strategies without labeling it as such.
Provide Supported Play Opportunities
Physical activities and games, exercise a student’s Working Memory, Inhibitory Control, and Cognitive Flexibility skills throughout the developmental stages. Even though these types of activities are typically viewed as “free time” - when teachers would be relatively hands off - students who struggle with tasks associated with Executive Function may struggle with many aspects of true free time. Developmentally, tasks that require the use of more Executive Function skills at one time are more challenging for younger children (Best), and adolescents who have weaker Executive Function skills will also find multi-faceted tasks more difficult. Free time activities like board games require students to access all three skill sets. Providing appropriate support will help children engage with others, increase the likelihood of positive outcomes, and aid in the development of Executive Functioning skills.
Physical Activities
Physical activity has been shown to improve Executive Function in children immediately following aerobic activity. This effect has been observed to be greater when the activity is also “cognitively-engaging” (Best). Paradoxically, some students might require support to access these physical activities, particularly activities that might be more cognitively engaging. Those activities are typically rule-centered group activities that require a great deal of social navigation. Choosing tasks that are developmentally appropriate will increase the likelihood of meeting the teacher’s objective of challenging the students’ skills without reaching frustration.
For children aged 3-5 years, encouraging movement challenges in the classroom or on the playground that utilize play structures, balance beams, or other playground equipment requires focus, flexibility in thinking, the ability to monitor and adjust their actions, and persistence to achieve their goal (Center).
Children aged 5-7 years, are beginning to enjoy games that have rules. Games like “Freeze Dance”, “Musical Chairs”, “Red Light, Green Light” or “Duck, Duck, Goose”, challenge working memory (remembering the rule, tracking other’s movements), inhibitory control (resist reacting to stimuli), and cognitive flexibility (changing plans, owning mistakes) (Center).
From grade school to middle school, aged 7-12 years, students are more able to tolerate advanced games with more complex rules and increased engagement. Organized sports are excellent for engaging students outside of the classroom. Providing students with the same level of engagement within a regular classroom setting can be achieved through jump rope games, “Hide and Go Seek”, and “Tag” (Center). These games provide challenges for the working memory (remembering rules, creating a plan), inhibitory control (suppress distractions, persistence), and cognitive flexibility (multitask, problem solve, change perspectives).
With the increased academic demand in high school, opportunities for adolescents to engage in physical activity during class time become far and few between. Encourage students to participate in P.E., to participate in organized sports or extracurricular teams, or to participate in community activities such as yoga or meditation (Center). Of course, if time and space allows, and the students are open to physical challenges, obstacle courses, jump rope games, and pick up games, will support the development of adolescents’ skills.
Games
Playing games is a great way to practice and develop the skills necessary to be successful in and out of the classroom.
For children aged 3-5 years,matching and sorting games, puzzles, and song games are great for engaging students and developing skills. These games engage all areas of executive function: working memory (attention, memory), inhibitory control (ability to follow rules) and cognitive flexibility (change approaches).
Students aged 5-7 years are ready for more challenging games that require more social interaction. Simple card games like “Go Fish”, and board games that require some strategy such as Checkers, Mancala, and Battleship provide the necessary challenge for practicing their working memory and cognitive flexibility, while the social aspect challenges their inhibitory control.
By 7 -12 years of age, games that involve strategy and/or fast responses are appropriate and challenging. Card games such as “Spit”, and board games like chess challenge all three areas of executive function. Rummy and Hearts are also great for exercising working memory and cognitive flexibility.
Adolescents will benefit from strategy games and logic puzzles. Activities that engage working memory, and prioritize planning and attention help adolescents develop the skills necessary to navigate life as they move towards adulthood (Center).
Works Cited
Best, John R. Effects of Physical Activity on Children's Executive Function: Contributions of Experimental Research on Aerobic Exercise. HHS Public Access. HHS Author Manuscripts. 2010, Dec. 30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3147174/
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2013). Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function: Working Paper No. 11. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/
Diamond, Adele. Executive Functions. NIH Public Access. Author Manuscript. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4084861/pdf/nihms-602706.pdf
Elliott, Rebecca. “Executive functions and their disorders: Imaging in clinical neuroscience.” https://academic.oup.com/bmb/article/65/1/49/375358
Kusnyer, Laura and Kristin Stanberry. Executive Function 101. The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. 2013. https://www.understood.org/~/media/040bfb1894284d019bf78ac01a5f1513.pdf
McCalla, Angie. “Executive Functioning – Where is it Controlled and How Does it Develop? / Remediation Techniques for Deficits and Dysfunction.” https://www.rainbowrehab.com/executive-functioning/
Morin, Amanda. “Understanding Executive Functioning Issues”. https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/executive-functioning-issues/what-is-executive-function
Snyder, H., Kaiser, R., Warren, S., & Heller, W. (2014). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Is Associated With Broad Impairments in Executive Function: A Meta-Analysis. Clinical Psychological Science. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/publications/observer/obsonline/ocd-linked-with-broad-impairments-in-executive-function.html#.WHLzFbGZO1s
How to Develop Executive Functioning Skills
Identify the Skills
Understand the three core components of executive functioning - Working Memory, Inhibitory Control, and Cognitive Flexibility. Recognize how these skills contribute to planning, focus, and multitasking in day-to-day tasks.
Assess Strengths and Weaknesses
Evaluate students' executive functioning skills to identify areas of strength and areas that require improvement. Observe their performance in tasks that involve working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility.
Create a Positive Learning Environment
Establish a classroom environment that is conducive to developing executive functioning skills. Remove distractions, keep the physical space organized, and establish clear expectations and rules. Provide a sense of belonging and empower students to take ownership of their learning.
Scaffold Instruction
Use scaffolding strategies to support students in developing executive functioning skills. Model expectations, provide clear academic goals, and offer scaffolded assignments that build upon students' strengths while addressing areas of weakness. Use visual aids, teach vocabulary, and provide step-by-step guidance to promote critical thinking and sequencing skills.
Provide Supported Play Opportunities
Incorporate physical activities, games, and exercise into the curriculum to engage students working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Choose age-appropriate activities that challenge students' skills without overwhelming them. Encourage participation in organized sports, playground games, or community activities that promote physical and cognitive engagement.
Integrate Games and Puzzles
Include games, puzzles, and logic activities that target executive functioning skills in the classroom. Select games that require working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Match and sorting games, card games, board games, and strategy games can help students practice and develop these skills in a fun and interactive way.
Frequently Asked Questions about Executive Functioning Skills
How can teachers and parents identify students who may be struggling with executive functioning skills?
There are several signs that a student may be struggling with executive functioning skills, including difficulty completing tasks, forgetfulness, disorganization, and poor time management. Teachers and parents may also observe that the student is easily distracted, struggles to prioritize tasks, or has trouble adapting to changes in routine or schedule.
What are some common challenges that students may face when developing executive functioning skills?
Some common challenges that students may face when developing executive functioning skills include difficulty with planning and organizing tasks, poor time management, difficulty with prioritizing tasks, and trouble staying focused and avoiding distractions. Students may also struggle with emotional regulation, such as managing stress and frustration, which can interfere with their ability to complete tasks effectively.
How can executive functioning skills be integrated into classroom instruction to support student learning?
Teachers can integrate executive functioning skills into classroom instruction by incorporating activities that require planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Teachers may also provide frequent feedback and support for time management and organization, and incorporate visual aids and checklists to help students stay on track. Additionally, teachers may help students develop metacognitive skills by encouraging them to reflect on their learning and identify strategies that work best for them.
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