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 3 Activities to Strengthen Executive Function In Children

9/9/2012

9 Comments

 
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If you joined me for my BlogTalkRadio show on executive functions last week, you know that we talked about the ins and outs of our executive functions. In particular, I spoke about Working Memory, Inhibitory Control and Cognitive/Mental Flexibility. 

In today's post I'll be sharing 3 activities that will help you strengthen your young child's executive functioning skills. Or in plain english...will help them remember things, stop poor behaviors/impulsivity and go with the flow! 

This first activity was shared on my TLS Facebook page last Friday and it was well received. I think it's fantastic for many age levels and would work nicely for strengthening inhibitory control {AKA helping kids control their emotions/behavior}. A few adults even commented that they would be printing it and placing somewhere to remind them of their own options when they themselves become upset. This was originally posted by Funtastic Early Childhood Ideas.  
https://www.facebook.com/funtasticEC
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Activity number two is great for strengthening working memory. Next time you go grocery shopping,  have your child remember one or two items you need while helping you shop.  At the beginning of your trip you can say "help mommy {or daddy} remember that she needs to get _____________" Then, a few minutes later {or when you are in the aisle of the item} ask them "what was mommy supposed to get?  or What was the thing you were supposed to remember for mommy?" Grocery shopping is a fun way to work on many developmental skills! Especially with those cute little grocery carts they have now. 
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The third activity is for strengthening mental/cognitive flexibility.   Gather multi=colored items {legos, blocks, candy} and sort them into groups of like colors. After you've done it a few times, make a mistake by placing one of the colors in the wrong pile.  Don't say anything and see if your child notices. If they don't, give them gentle cues to help them notice. "Is everything as it should be here?" "Is there anything in the wrong spot?" Once they notice, help them to find the words to say what they did to fix it and WHY they needed to fix it. 


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So there you have it. I hope you have some fun getting started with these activities. If you love these ideas, be sure to check out my post on using board games to strengthen those executive functioning skills.

If you'd like a BONUS activity, just click the button below! 

Click Here to download your FREE bonus activity

9 Comments
Kari
5/29/2013 02:51:18 am

I love this blog. We are working on cognitive flexibility as we speak:) Perfect timing:)

Reply
Jennifer Hatfield link
7/19/2013 03:18:28 am

Hi Kari!
So sorry that I didn't see your comment sooner. I happned to click here to share this resource and saw that I missed it. Thank you for your kind words. So, how is it going with the cognitive flexibility? I'd love to hear.

Reply
Holly M
9/26/2014 06:25:15 pm

My 5th grade son is STILL terrified of fire drills. Back when he was in K-3 we (school principal, teachers, school counselor, professional counselor) exhausted all possible solutions to help him not freak out ; in the month in advance and during. I took him out of school for two years to homeschool him and thought he would be o.k. going back. It's been a very stress free two years for him. Now, he won't relax until it has happened, but will cry and cover his ears still. We have ear plugs, headphones and still he carries a great burden of anxiety over this. I write you to see if anything comes to mind, or if it is just repetition so the neural paths are made over time that tells him he is o.k. with each drill. I talk to a new principal on Monday. Thanks for any thoughts, and pass it on--maybe someone has had this issue. Thank you, Holly M.

Reply
Jennifer hatfield
10/30/2014 09:12:31 am

Hi Holly,
I'm so sorry that I missed your comment. I would recommend talking to an Occupational Therapist who specializes in sensory processing issues. Best of luck to you and your son. I know it can be very frustrating.

Reply
hayley
12/31/2014 06:15:39 am

How do I acquire these 3 activities? They look great but there is no link that I can find. I even checked facebook, but 2012 isn't accessible. THANKS and Happy New Year

Reply
Joanna
8/20/2015 04:27:58 am

Hi! I see this post is very old. Do you still have the choice wheel available to print? I'm having a hard time figuring out to print it.

Reply
Jennifer
12/19/2015 12:59:17 pm

Hi! Sorry that I didn't see your comment sooner. As stated in the post, I found this at Funtastic Early Childhood. :) Try contacting them at their page. Sorry that I don't have more for you but that is where I found it. :)

Reply
Melissa
9/30/2015 09:31:49 am

I love the "What Can I Do" cart above. Thanks for the great ideas!

I was going to print it out and use it with my counseling groups, but every size I pick is grainy and hard to read. Any suggestions?

Reply
Jennifer
12/19/2015 01:00:36 pm

Hi! Try the Funtastic Early Childhood Facebook page. You may try messaging them as that is where I originally found it. Sorry I don't have more to go on for you! :)

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