08/29/2024
Research shows that executive functioning development in childhood occurs in various contexts and follows a general process across different age ranges.
🧡Executive functioning skills are a set of essential abilities that enable us to think through and complete tasks. These skills include problem-solving, task initiation and completion, and sustained attention. They are crucial for everyday activities such as getting dressed, completing homework, or making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
🩵As children grow, their executive functioning skills develop and become more refined. For young children, this might involve learning to follow simple instructions and manage basic routines. As they reach school age, these skills expand to include more complex tasks like organizing schoolwork, managing time effectively, and adapting to changing schedules. Teenagers further develop these skills to handle more significant responsibilities, such as planning for long-term projects, making independent decisions, and managing social interactions.
🚨Challenges in executive functioning can present differently at various ages. Young children may struggle with following multi-step directions or controlling impulses. School-aged children might find it hard to stay organized, complete assignments on time, or transition smoothly between activities. Teenagers with executive functioning difficulties might face challenges in prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and maintaining focus in the face of distractions.
Do any of those examples sound familiar? Challenges can definitely look like other things, too…it’s all so individualized!
💡In this blog post, we break down the different components of executive functioning and offer a workbook to target specific skills: https://www.theottoolbox.com/what-is-executive-function-in-child-development/
