Executive Function and Learning Insights.

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

Journaling to Improve Emotional Control: A Powerful Tool for Executive Function Growth in Grades 1–4

Few strategies are as simple yet powerful as journaling when it comes to teaching executive function skills in elementary classrooms. In fact, journaling to improve emotional control not only helps young students reflect on their emotions but also supports their development of self-regulation, builds self-confidence, and meets diverse student learning (...)

Improving Working Memory: Understanding the Connection Between Behavior and Executive Function Skills in Middle School Students

Improving working memory in middle school students isn’t just about remembering facts—it’s about helping students learn how to learn. As educators, we often notice puzzling behaviors: a student can’t recall multiplication facts, another drifts off mid-task, while another seems constantly distracted by everything happening around them. While these behaviors may (...)

Taking Initiative: Encouraging High School Students to Start Tasks with Confidence

Taking initiative is a foundational executive function skill that can transform a student’s academic experience. For high school teachers, fostering this skill through thoughtful conversation and structured executive function instruction is one of the most powerful ways to improve student performance, reduce procrastination, and increase student engagement. When students learn (...)

Journaling for Self-Awareness: A Powerful Tool for Teaching Self-Monitoring in High School Classrooms

Incorporating journaling for self-awareness into your classroom is one of the most effective student engagement strategies you can use to teach the executive function skill of self-monitoring. In fact, journaling for self-awareness not only improves student confidence and academic performance but also strengthens students’ self-control, emotional control, and ability to (...)