Executive Functioning
As carers, we all want to provide the best possible support to the children in our care, helping them develop the skills and resilience they need to thrive in life. One of the most powerful sets of skills children need, yet often struggle to master, is executive functioning. These skills include things like impulse control, planning, problem-solving, and managing emotions, all of which are crucial for navigating everyday challenges.
At the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, a wealth of resources and research is dedicated to understanding and fostering healthy brain development, especially in children who have experienced adversity. The center’s mission is to help caregivers, educators, and policymakers better understand the science of early childhood development, and how we can support children in reaching their full potential.
What is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning (EF) refers to a set of cognitive skills that help children regulate their behaviour and make thoughtful decisions. These skills include:
- Working Memory: The ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind for short periods.
- Inhibitory Control: The ability to control impulses and resist distractions.
- Cognitive Flexibility: The ability to shift attention and adapt to new situations or challenges.
Children in foster care, may face unique challenges in developing these skills due to trauma or instability in their early environments. However, it’s important to remember that executive functioning is not a fixed trait—it can be strengthened over time with the right interventions, support, and nurturing relationships.
Why Executive Functioning Matters for Children in Foster Care
For children in foster care, the ability to manage emotions, plan ahead, and solve problems is often disrupted due to experiences of neglect, trauma, and frequent changes in their environment. Building executive functioning skills helps children:
- Regulate Emotions: Children who can manage stress, frustration, and anxiety are better equipped to handle the ups and downs of daily life.
- Improve Academic Performance: Executive functioning supports skills like attention, memory, and self-discipline, which are essential for learning.
- Navigate Relationships: In a caregiving environment, managing impulses and understanding social cues can lead to healthier, more positive interactions with peers and adults.
By focusing on executive functioning, caregivers can help children build a foundation for success in both school and life. With patience and consistent support, children can develop stronger executive skills, which are essential for future well-being.
Resources from the Center on the Developing Child
The Center on the Developing Child offers a wealth of valuable resources for caregivers, educators, and professionals working with children. Their evidence-based materials can help you better understand how to support the development of executive functioning skills in the children in your care.
Key Resources:
- The Science of Early Childhood Development: This resource explores how early experiences, especially those related to stress and trauma, shape brain development and the importance of supporting executive functioning skills.
- Executive Function and Self-Regulation: This section provides practical guidance on how caregivers can support children’s executive functioning, offering tips for improving skills like attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
- Briefs and Publications: Accessible articles and research summaries that delve deeper into the science of executive functioning and its importance in children’s development.
- Interactive Tools: Tools like videos, webinars, and infographics help bring the science to life and provide easy-to-understand guidance on how to apply these concepts in real-life caregiving scenarios.
By visiting the Center on the Developing Child’s website, you’ll find a wealth of resources that not only explain the science behind executive functioning but also offer practical strategies to incorporate into your caregiving approach.
they need to overcome challenges and succeed in life.
To explore these resources, visit the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University at https://developingchild.harvard.edu/
Together, we can help foster children unlock their full potential and achieve brighter futures.
Resources:
Infographic – What Is Executive Function? And How Does It Relate to Child Development?
Yorganop Online Training – Understanding Developmental Trauma