In grades 1–4, students are developing a wide range of cognitive, emotional, and social skills that shape their learning experience. When students struggle to meet short-term goals, estimate time, or remember assignments and due dates, these issues often stem from planning gaps—difficulties with the executive function skill of planning. Understanding and addressing these planning gaps […]

The importance of self-monitoring in the classroom cannot be overstated. As one of the eight core executive function skills, self-monitoring helps students take ownership of their learning, behavior, and social interactions. In fact, self-monitoring supports nearly every other area of executive function development. Teachers who understand and prioritize the importance of self-monitoring will not only […]

Practicing flexibility is a powerful way to support young learners in building their executive function skills. In grades 1–4, students are still developing their ability to adapt to change, shift their thinking, and regulate their emotional responses when things don’t go as expected. Teaching executive function skills like flexibility helps meet student learning needs, builds […]

Reflective journal writing is one of the most powerful executive function tools teachers can use to build students’ self-awareness and emotional control. By incorporating reflective journal writing into executive function instruction, middle school teachers can help students recognize their emotions, understand the causes behind them, and practice responding in ways that support their goals and […]