Flexible Thinking: Helping High School Students Overcome Executive Function Challenges

Posted In Behaviors On February 11, 2025

Flexible thinking is a crucial executive function skill that allows students to adapt to changing situations, shift their thoughts when necessary, and transition smoothly between tasks. However, when students struggle with flexible thinking, they may exhibit behaviors such as difficulty managing emotions when situations change, resistance to shifting thoughts, and challenges in transitioning between activities. As high school teachers, understanding these behaviors through the lens of executive function learning can help us implement effective executive function instruction to support student success.

Recognizing the Connection Between Student Behavior and Flexible Thinking

Students who have deficits in flexible thinking often struggle with emotional regulation, cognitive shifts, and transitions. Here’s how these behaviors manifest in the classroom:

1. Struggling to Manage Emotions with Changing Situations

A student who reacts intensely to unexpected schedule changes or unforeseen classroom disruptions may lack flexible thinking skills. These students may feel overwhelmed when their routine is altered, leading to frustration, anxiety, or disengagement. Implementing executive function strategies, such as providing structured choices or preparing students for potential changes, can support their ability to adapt.

2. Difficulty Shifting Thoughts When It’s Time

Some students get stuck on one idea, making it challenging for them to move on when required. For example, a student might struggle to stop working on a preferred activity to begin a new assignment. Teaching executive function skills, such as using visual cues or verbal prompts, can help students develop the ability to shift their focus and improve their academic performance.

3. Challenges in Transitioning from One Activity to Another

Transitioning from one subject to another or from independent work to group discussions can be difficult for students with executive function deficits. They may require additional time, resist change, or display off-task behavior. Implementing student engagement strategies, such as countdown timers or structured transition routines, can help ease these difficulties and improve the student’s flexible thinking skills.

Strategies to Support Flexible Thinking in the Classroom

Fortunately, executive function instruction can help students strengthen their flexible thinking skills. Here are some student strategies to incorporate into your teaching:

• Modeling Flexible Thinking: Demonstrate how to navigate change positively. Verbalize your thought process when adapting to a change, showing students how to reframe challenges as opportunities.
• Using Executive Function Tools: Provide executive functioning tools such as graphic organizers, transition timers, and self-reflection checklists to help students shift between activities more smoothly.
• Implementing a Predictable Executive Function System: Establish clear routines and expectations while incorporating small, intentional variations to help students practice adapting.
• Providing Executive Function Lessons: Teach students about flexible thinking explicitly, helping them recognize when they are stuck and strategies to shift their mindset.
• Encouraging Self-Reflection and Growth Mindset: Have students reflect on moments they struggled with transitions and guide them in brainstorming solutions for future situations.

Student Empowerment Through Flexible Thinking

Developing flexible thinking skills not only helps students in the classroom but also prepares them for life beyond school. When students improve their ability to manage emotions, shift thoughts, and transition effectively, they gain confidence in handling new and unpredictable situations. This improvement in their executive function enhances their academic performance and strengthens their social skills.

By incorporating executive function intervention into your teaching approach, you can create a learning environment that supports all students, particularly those who struggle with executive function deficits. Implementing an executive function curriculum tailored to student learning needs helps solve executive function challenges and fosters student success.

Next Steps: Evaluating Your Student’s Executive Function Needs

Understanding your students’ executive function strengths and challenges is essential for providing targeted support. Click here to explore tools that help assess student behavior and determine their executive function needs. Additionally, our platform offers customized executive function curriculum solutions—learn more about evaluating student behaviors to create personalized strategies by clicking here.

For more insights into flexible thinking and its role in executive function, read our blog post: “What is Flexibility?”

Empower your students with executive function strategies today and watch their confidence and adaptability grow!