Executive Function: Thursday’s Throwdown
Updated: Aug 8, 2021
Each Thursday, I will demystify common “teacher-speak.” Teachers often regurgitate the lingo of faculty meetings, professional development, educational publications, and graduate courses. While unintentional, it is an area of parent/school communication that can easily be improved! Even if you’re familiar with the term, I encourage you read on for valuable insights and tips.
Executive Function Defined:
Executive functioning has nothing to do with CEOs, business, or the job responsibilities of a boss. The term refers to a part of the brain that acts like an offensive coordinator calling the plays into the quarterback. It directs your focus and allows you to make corrections and adjustments mid-task. In short, we use executive functions to get things done.
Executive Function Has Three Parts:
1) Working Memory
2) Flexible Thinking
3) Self-Control
Executive function difficulties...
make organization and completing multi-step tasks challenging
often improve with maturity
are influenced by brain development in adolescence and genetics (not fully understood)
can be improved upon with strategies and support. Stay tuned for future posts on strategies and interventions!
Executive Functioning Difficulties are NOT:
diagnosed by clinicians or recognized as a disability
indicative of a child's intelligence or ability
the same thing as ADHD/ADD, although those with ADD/ADHD almost certainly have difficulties with executive functions
only found in children
Stay posted for future posts on strategies to improve and support executive functioning.
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Happy Friday's Eve!
~From The Teacher's Inbox