Hear ye, hear ye! Parents, practicing focused attention can be simple and fun with an activity that will have your child all ears! This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Relax and practice mindful thinking by concentrating on a specific sound. It helps children understand what paying attention to…
Play Bear & Dragon at Home
Flex those cognitive flexibility skills in a game with real characters! Bear and Dragon stop by to engage your child in a new take on “Follow the Leader”. They must choose to follow or not follow Bear and Dragon’s requests based on the rules presented. Activity: Flex those cognitive flexibility skills in a game with real…
Science Spotlight: EF Practice Shown to Improve Math Skills
Close up of little girl and little boy practicing executive function and numeracy
Let Me Choose
Giving children the opportunity to choose for themselves helps them develop thinking skills critical to social and academic success.
Swing into fun with five little monkeys
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Parents: Just hanging around? Swing into numeracy fun with this new take on a classic game. Dive into the world of playful learning and discover how the classic game 5 Little Monkeys can boost both numeracy and executive function. Learn more about…
Before They Get to Kindergarten: New Research Sheds Light on the Value of Early EF Screening.
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Unlike most assessments of school readiness, Executive Function (EF) screenings focus on essential cognitive skills like inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. These skills predict success in school. They can also be improved during preschool years with the right support. Recent research by scientists from…
EF and Math Success
Understanding How Executive Function Training Impacts Mathematics Skills in Preschool Children: A Conversation With Developmental Psychologist Dr. Jasmine Ernst Evidence suggests there is a positive correlation between strong executive function (EF) skills and academic growth over time. Programs that integrate EF practice into early childhood curriculum may see significant improvements in learning and social development. Why…
The Family Partnership Spotlight
Welcome to The Family Partnership Spotlight, where we celebrate families’ crucial role in nurturing children’s social-emotional development. Discover the power of fostering empathy, resilience, and positive relationships. Join us in exploring practical strategies and heartwarming family stories that exemplify the transformative effects of intentional parenting. Together, let’s empower children with essential life skills for a brighter, more emotionally intelligent future.
Fathers Matter: The Role of Father Autonomy Support and Control in Executive Function Development
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Fathering Futures: The Impact of Dad’s Guidance on Child Executive Function About the Study: This article discusses a study that investigated an often-overlooked aspect of child development—the influence of fathers on their children’s executive function (EF) skills. While extensive research has…
Provision Choice and Executive Function Development
Provision of Choice is Key to Executive Function Development in Toddlers It is clear that early executive function (EF) skills are important for many outcomes including social competence, emotion regulation, academic achievement, and school readiness (Allan et al., 2014, McClelland et al., 2013; Willoughby et al., 2017). We have seen remarkable growth in the number…