April 19, 2019

Building Children’s Executive Function Skills Benefits Everyone

Executive Function skills typically develop between the ages of 3-5. These skills enable children to plan and act in a way that makes them good students, classroom citizens, and friends. Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child has great information about building children’s executive function.

What can you do at home to help your young child develop their executive function?

• Set a time limit for activities and when transitions need to happen. Use a timer if necessary.
• Use a planner for older kids.
• Create a checklist for children (using words or photos, depending on if the child can read). Examples of bedtime routines for younger children and older children.
• Establish a routine.
• Spell out the rationale of what you’re doing – tell them the “why” of what you’re doing.