Executive Function Skills Improve Academics and Mental Health
We are building executive function habits into many of our lessons at ISA. Why are executive function skills so important? These skills nurture positive behaviors towards decision making, organization, flexible thinking, and the ability to self regulate emotions and priorities. Improving executive function skills not only improves our academics, it promotes positive mental health.
How can you improve executive function skills at home? Harvard, and the Center on the Developing Child, gives us some great activities to improve executive function by age group: Activities Guide: Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence
Flexible thinking, an important executive function, is a good skill to practice for emotional regulation:
- imagine more than one solution to a problem
- think about how others are feeling
- say yes to new skills and reflect on learning experiences
- use calming strategies when upset
Best wishes for some flexible thinking this weekend!
Warm regards,
Valerie DeGraw
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