Executive Function and Learning Insights.

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

Helping Middle School Students Take Initiative: Executive Function Strategies for Task Initiation

Helping middle school students take initiative is critical to their success. Taking the initiative includes starting tasks independently, overcoming procrastination, and confidently engaging in learning. Middle school students, particularly those in grades 5-8, are at a crucial stage where building strong executive function skills can significantly improve their academic performance (...)

Practicing Emotion Regulation: Helping High School Students Strengthen Emotional Control

Teaching executive function skills, such as emotional control, is a vital part of supporting high school students’ academic and personal growth. Practicing emotion regulation enables students to manage their feelings effectively, improving their ability to focus on tasks, interact positively with others, and handle challenges with resilience. By incorporating executive (...)

Showing Flexibility: Helping Students Develop an Essential Executive Function Skill

In any elementary classroom, teachers encounter students who struggle with showing flexibility. Whether it’s resisting new activities, finding transitions challenging, or struggling to understand different perspectives, these behaviors often stem from an executive function skill deficit in flexibility. Showing flexibility is essential for adapting to new situations, solving problems, and (...)

Improve Organization: Why It’s Essential for Student Learning

In every classroom, students are juggling multiple responsibilities, assignments, and learning tasks. One of the most effective ways to improve organization in students is by teaching executive function strategies that help them structure their work, thoughts, and materials. Organization is a critical executive function skill that supports student learning, enhances (...)