Empowerment Through Executive Function
This month, I had the pleasure of preparing a presentation for a national conference that focused on strengthening the Executive Functioning system; this can lead to holistic growth across all life domains, including academic achievement, personal happiness, physical health, social connectedness, and financial wellbeing.
Our children are always watching and absorbing what we say and do. When we model strong Executive Functioning skills and make the process visible, it can be one way to support big growth in our children’s skills over time.
There are simple actions that we can take to highlight (or build!) our own Executive Function capacities that will also support the skill development of the children in our life. Here are some ideas:
Plan and organize on Saturday or Sunday for the upcoming week
This can include meal planning, discussions about schedules, and problem-solving potential conflicts before they arise. Taking the time to do this in an intentional and unhurried way over the weekend models nonverbal working memory/future thinking, cognitive flexibility, and anticipating.
Intentionally recharge when batteries drain
When our physical, mental, and emotional batteries are fully charged, we’re in a better position to deploy solid Executive Functioning skills. Batteries will drain throughout the day (or throughout particular activities), and as they do we can model intentional pauses to recharge. Doing so models self-monitoring and prioritizing. For example: “It’s really hard for me to have my attention on cooking, right now. I’m going to take 5 minutes outside in the sun to reset, and then I’m going to come back inside.”
Celebrate progress as a family
Set goals, practice self-compassion, and build on small wins. Remember that no one needs perfect Executive Functioning—we can celebrate “good enough” and focus on the systems and habits that work for each individual while nurturing a curious and optimistic mindset. For example: “Nice job picturing what you’ll need in the morning and putting your backpack right next to the front door.”
By modeling Executive Functioning out loud and in action, you’re helping your child build the skills they’ll carry with them for life. I’m with you, every step of the way!