As students move through grades 5 to 8, they are not only absorbing academic content but also developing crucial life skills. One such skill—organization—is essential for academic success and personal growth. Executive function instruction, especially when tailored to meet the unique student learning needs of middle schoolers, can significantly enhance their ability to manage time, […]

5 Flexibility Executive Function Journal Prompts for High School Teachers In today’s rapidly changing world, flexibility is more important than ever, especially for students. High school teachers have the unique opportunity to help students develop flexible thinking skills, which will serve them well both academically and in life. One effective way to nurture these skills […]

Elementary school teachers often observe behaviors such as students struggling to start tasks, difficulty getting started on projects, or challenges in following through to complete assignments. These behaviors can be frustrating for both teachers and students. However, when we view them through the lens of executive function, we gain a better understanding and the tools […]

Task initiation is one of the brain’s cognitive executive functions, and it describes the ability to begin projects, assignments, and tasks without procrastination. Students with the skill of task initiation are self-starters who begin assignments and projects promptly, allowing themselves enough time to finish. They usually have a plan of action for test preparation and […]

Organization is an executive function that describes the ability to develop and use systems to keep track of materials and information. Students who struggle with organization often lose their belongings and come unprepared with what they need. They have a difficult time finding what they need and keeping their work neat. These struggles require students […]

Planning is an executive function that describes the ability to create and follow steps to reach a goal within a scheduled amount of time.  Students who struggle with planning often fail to finish work on time because they start at the last minute and inaccurately estimate how much time they’ll need to complete their work.  […]

Working memory is an executive function that describes the ability to use and recall information stored in the memory to complete tasks. Students who struggle with working memory often have a short attention span and are distracted by their environment. They tend to have difficulty remembering not only information, but also what they need to […]

Task Initiation is an executive function that describes the ability to get started on projects, assignments, and tasks without procrastinating. Students who struggle with task initiation are often seen as lazy or unmotivated, but many times they are just stuck without a clear understanding of how to tackle even seemingly small tasks. They also have […]

Emotional Control is an executive function that describes the ability to manage feelings while completing tasks and working towards goals. Students who struggle with emotional control often react strongly to triggers and problems, and they have a difficult time coping with their feelings.  These types of struggles interfere with students being able to focus on […]

Flexibility is an executive function that describes the ability to adapt to changing conditions by revising plans or switching strategies. Students who struggle with flexibility have a difficult time when they need to move to a different idea, topic, plan, or activity.  Because learning consistently relies on cognitive flexibility, not yet having this executive functioning […]