Executive Functioning

Executive functioning is a group of cognitive processes that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. We use these skills daily to learn, work, and manage our daily lives. Difficulties with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, among other things. Broadly, executive functioning includes: emotional control, flexibility, goal-directed persistence, metacognition, organization, planning/prioritization, response inhibition, stress tolerance, task initiation, time management, and working memory.

Executive Functions are responsible for a person's ability to engage in purposeful, organized, strategic, self-regulated, goal directed behaviors and the construct actually includes all of the skills shown below.

• A calendar where you can write in important events e.g. soccer practice, dentist appointment, grandparents visiting. Use pictures for younger children so they know when certain events will happen. Cross off days when they are over so they see the passage of time

• If your child may buy school lunch, put up the menu so they can plan ahead of time if they want to buy that day or take their own lunch from home

• Specials schedule for their classroom: plan ahead for which day you need your sneakers for gym or when do I take back my library book?