The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University defines executive function and self-regulation skills as the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. Just as an air traffic control system at a busy airport safely manages the arrivals and departures of many aircraft on multiple runways, the brain needs this skill set to filter distractions, prioritize tasks, set and achieve goals, and control impulses.
These higher order thinking skills can be broken down into the following eight executive function areas:
- Working Memory
- Self Regulation
- Time Management and Planning
- Organization
- Self-monitoring
- Attention
- Impulse Control
- Cognitive Flexibility
We understand that it can be very overwhelming to learn that you or your student is struggling in one or more of these areas, so we have compiled a list of our top resources to help you navigate these new waters. Each of the 8 executive functions has a general information header which includes links that will teach you about that particular EF skill, and a Strategies and Support header which offers tools for students, caregivers, and educators.
- Executive Function Overview
- Executive Function Strategies
- Working Memory
- Self-Regulation
- Time Management and Planning
- Organization
- Self-Monitoring
- Attention
- Impulse Control
- Cognitive Flexibility
Executive Function Overview
- Executive Function Skills – CHADD
- What Is Executive Function?
- Executive Functioning: The Day in a Life of an Adult – Learnfully
Executive Function Strategies
- Strategies to Strengthen Executive Function | Psychology Today
- Easy Activities to Build Executive Function in Summer (or Anytime) – Learnfully
- How to help children develop executive function skills. – Learnfully
Working Memory
General Information
- The Role of Working Memory in Cognitive Development, Everyday learning, and Academic Performance – Learnfully
- Working Memory – Kid Sense Child Development
- Supporting Students with Working Memory Difficulties
- Working Memory and Processing Speed – Bits of Wisdom for All
Strategies and Supports
- 8 Working Memory Boosters
- 10 Strategies to Enhance Students’ Memory | Reading Rockets
- How to Help Kids With Working Memory Issues | Child Mind Institute Supportive Strategies Available in English and Spanish
- 4 Ways to Boost Elementary Students’ Working Memory | Edutopia
- Classroom Strategies for Improving Working Memory – CHADD
Reading
- Why Working Memory Helps Children Learn to Read
- Working Memory: The Engine for Learning – International Dyslexia Association
Math
- 5 Ways to Improve Working Memory and Math Skills – LearningWorks for Kids
- The Role of Working Memory in Learning Mathematics – Smartick
Self-Regulation
General Information
- Mindset Matters – Learnfully
- Social Thinking Matters – Michelle Garcia Winner, our Educator Spotlight – Learnfully
- Self-Regulation Skills | Understood
- Phases of Self-Regulation
- Summary of Key Points | The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (1990-2013)
- Executive Function and Self-Regulation: Skills and Disorder
Strategies and Supports
- Developing Kids’ Executive Function, Self-Regulation Skills
- Common Self-Regulation Strategies
- How-to Instruction for Self-Regulated Learning Strategies | The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (1990-2013)
- Learning Academy Model
- Individual Lessons 1-6 | The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (1990-2013)
- Self-care for kids: 6 ways to self-regulate
- 6 strategies to teach students self-regulation in writing
Time Management and Planning
General Information
- How to improve your child’s time management skills.
- Child procrastinating? Why kids struggle with time management
- Executive Functioning Skills 101: The Basics of Time Management
Strategies and Supports
- Interventions for Executive Functioning Challenges: Time Management – The Pathway 2 Success
- How to Teach Executive Functioning and Time Management
- 10 Time Management Strategies for Student Success
- 11 Steps to Help College Students With ADHD Create a Time Management System
- 7 Time Management Training Activities That Will Engage Learners.
- Tips to Improve Prioritization – The OT Toolbox
- Time Management Interventions and Accommodations for People with ADHD
Organization
General Information
- Executive Functioning Skills 101: All About Organization
- Trouble With Organization
- How Organization Affects Learning in Kids | Executive Skills | Understood
Strategies and Supports
- Teaching Executive Functioning and Organizational Skills to Your Child
- Interventions for Executive Functioning Challenges: Organization – The Pathway 2 Success
- Organization Printables: Teacher Handouts for Families | Understood
- 7 Ways to Teach Your Grade-Schooler Organization Skills | Understood
- 7 Ways to Teach Your Middle School Child Organization Skills | Understood
- 7 Ways to Teach Your High-Schooler Organization Skills | Understood
Self-Monitoring
General Information
- Executive Functioning 101: All About Self-Monitoring
- What Is Self-Monitoring?
- Self Monitoring | PBIS World
- Self-Monitoring
Strategies and Supports
- Self-Monitoring Strategies for Kids – The OT Toolbox
- Teach Students to Change Behaviors Through Self-Monitoring
- Impact | Volume 18, Number 2 | Using Self-Monitoring Strategies to Address Behavior and Academic Issues
- 4 Ways Kids Use Self-Monitoring to Learn
- Self-Monitoring Strategies for Use in the Classroom: A Promising Practice to Support Productive Behavior for Students With Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
Attention
General Information
- Executive Functioning 101: All About Attentional Control
- How Attention Works | Understood
- Attention & Working Memory | ADHD Relationship | Understood
- How Executive Function and Attention are Related – The OT Toolbox
Strategies and Supports
- Teacher Tip: Help Your Child Pay Attention With SLANT | Understood
- Interventions for Executive Functioning Challenges: Attention – The Pathway 2 Success
- 25 Attention-Grabbing Tips for the Classroom | Edutopia
- 25+ Strategies for Kids with ADHD – The Pathway 2 Success
- 10 New Focused Attention Practices | Edutopia
- Energy and Calm: Brain Breaks and Focused-Attention Practices | Edutopia
- Strategies for Getting and Keeping the Brain’s Attention | Edutopia
Impulse Control
General Information
- Executive Function: Impulse Control | HFC | Houston & San Antonio TX
- Executive Functioning 101: All About Impulse Control
- Self-Control in Children | Understood
- Why Impulse Control Is Harder Than Ever | Scholastic | Parents
Strategies and Supports
- How to Help Kids Learn Impulse Control – The OT Toolbox
- 4 Apps to Help Tweens and Teens With Self-Control
- Impulse Control Activities for Kids (And What WON’T Work)
- What Causes Trouble With Self-Control
- Impulse Control Activities for Adults | Study.com
- Easy Impulse Control Strategies – The OT Toolbox
Cognitive Flexibility
General Information
- Demystifying cognitive flexibility: Implications for clinical and developmental neuroscience – PMC
- What Is Cognitive Flexibility, and Why Does It Matter?
- IQ tests can’t measure it, but ‘cognitive flexibility’ is key to learning and creativity
Strategies and Supports
- 3 Ways to Improve Your Cognitive Flexibility | Psychology Today
- What Is Cognitive Flexibility and How Do I Help My Child With It? – Foothills Academy
- 7 Ways to Develop Cognitive Flexibility | InformED
- Mental Flexibility | Prospect Medical Systems
- 5 Brain Exercises to Foster Flexible Thinking – Gaiam
Learnfully services
If your learner struggles with executive functioning, Learnfully offers a variety of executive functioning-based services:
- Executive functioning-based educational therapy and tutoring
- Test preparation and assistance with test accommodations for neurodivergent learners
- Professional development on working with neurodivergent learners for schools and community groups.
