Executive Function and Learning Insights.

Explore research, strategies, and ideas that connect executive function to learning success.

Developing Organization: A Strategy-Focused Approach for High School Students

Developing organizational skills is one of the most effective ways to support academic success and foster lifelong learning habits. In high school, students face increasing expectations to manage materials, prioritize tasks, and self-direct their learning. Executive function instruction plays a key role in helping students meet these challenges. By integrating (...)

Reflective Writing Prompts to Teach Task Initiation and Executive Function Skills

Reflective writing is a powerful tool that encourages metacognition, helping students in grades 1-4 develop critical executive function skills like task initiation. Task initiation is the ability to begin a task independently, which is essential for improving students’ academic performance and building their confidence. By incorporating reflective writing into your (...)

Improving Self-Control: Understanding the Connection Between Student Behavior and Executive Function Deficits

In middle school classrooms, many teachers encounter students who struggle with self-regulation. Some students have a hard time staying calm when expected, others blurt out inappropriate comments, and some don’t recognize when they need to stop a certain behavior. These challenges are often indicators of an executive function deficit, particularly (...)

What is Planning?

Executive function skills are foundational for student success, and planning is one of the most crucial skills. But what exactly is planning? In the realm of executive function instruction, planning refers to the ability to set goals, create step-by-step plans, and follow through within a designated timeframe. For students in (...)