Executive Function and Learning Insights.

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

Building Flexibility in Middle School: 5 Journal Prompts to Strengthen Executive Function Skills

Building flexibility in students is one of the most powerful ways to support their executive function development and prepare them for academic and life success. Flexibility—the ability to adapt to changing conditions, shift strategies, and manage emotions when routines are disrupted—is a foundational executive function skill that influences how students (...)

Why Students Struggle to Plan — And What High School Teachers Can Do About It

If you’ve ever had a student miss a deadline, cram for a test at the last minute, or freeze up when assigned a long-term project, you’ve seen what it looks like when students struggle to plan. These aren’t isolated incidents of laziness or lack of motivation—they’re often signs of an (...)

8 Working Memory IEP Goals

When it comes to supporting executive functions in the classroom, working memory IEP goals are a powerful way to track progress and ensure that instruction is meeting individual student needs. Working memory is a foundational executive function that enables students to retain and utilize information in real time—whether it involves (...)

Engaging Middle School Students in Self-Reflection Discussions to Build Self-Monitoring Skills

Self-reflection discussions are a powerful tool for teaching executive function skills, especially self-monitoring, to middle school students. These discussions not only help students develop a deeper understanding of their thoughts and actions but also encourage them to consider how their choices affect others and their own academic success. Middle school, (...)