Executive Functions

Articles

Dec 1

Childhood development involves so many different variables. One thing that occurs throughout the lifespan is the development of our executive functions. We continually shape our executive functions from infancy into adulthood. In different ways throughout our lives, our development of executive functions allows us to solve problems, complete tasks, and keep our attention span. We’re looking at the different stages of childhood development and the types of executive functions developing in each stage.

What is Executive Functioning?

The short answer to describe executive functions would be: all of the things we do and how we do them. Your ability to think about doing something and making the decision to move forward with any plan or focus involves executive functions. Kids developing their executive functions will be developing their ability to stay focused and keep their attention on the task at hand. Executive functions also develop your organization skills and planning abilities. As children develop all of these skills at different rates, you can get to know what is typical for your child’s age range and learn about what you should be looking for as signs of a lack of development.

Stages of Development for Executive Functioning

Infancy

During the first year of life, our executive function is developing in many ways. Working memory starts to form, and often infants will start to recognize faces or have favorite toys and blankets. The storage mechanism for the brain is active and able to begin storing memories. Part of this working memory is emotional regulation, which is related in that infants begin to have an emotional response to some things or people, but not others. For instance, an infant might remember certain faces or be calmed by being held by certain people with whom they are familiar. Sustaining attention is another element of our executive function that begins during the first year of life. Infants begin to direct their attention and sustain it to engage in play.

Years 1-2

As your child continues to develop their working memory, emotional regulation, and attention span, they will also continue to develop their ability to inhibit their impulses. Another aspect of executive functioning for children between one and two years old that is developing is task initiation and goal-oriented thinking. Engaging in play helps kids develop these important executive functioning skills and so many others.

Preschool Age

Instructions begin to have greater impact during the preschool years. Children begin to understand and remember sequences of instructions to carry out tasks. Other instructions and boundaries are recognized such as not hitting others, not touching the oven, and holding hands to cross the street.

K-2nd Grade

While kids are in school, their executive functions are enhances through sequences of instruction and more complex chores and tasks to carry out. Grooming and dressing skills also increase in steps or complexity, such as tying shoes after getting dressed.

3rd-5th Grade

During their later years in elementary school, children further develop their executive functioning skills through more advanced learning. Reading longer books, planning for projects, and carrying out tasks with increased attention and focus are typical signals for typical development during this age range.

6th-8th Grade

As children reach middle school, their executive functioning skills develop in their working memory. They are capable of more advanced math and problem solving as well as an improvement in critical thinking. This age range typically presents an increased ability for controlling impulses as well. Kids are more accustomed at this age to learning the rules of the space they are in and more often exhibit control over their behavior in these places in particular, like school or church.

9th-12th Grade

All the skills developing throughout a child’s life up to this point continue to develop as they move through their high school ages. The changes in behavior become very apparent from the first year to the last year of high school. These are the years when children develop more enhanced skills with time management, organization, and planning along with executive functioning skills in cognition.

Beyond High School - Age 20

Skills related to independence are strengthened during the years of 18-20. During these ages, we might continue our education while also maintaining a job, which would involve multi-tasking skills to satisfy the needs of all of life’s commitments. Balancing relationships, jobs, schedules, bills, and more continue to present new situations to adapt and exercise our executive functions.

Throughout Adulthood

As executive functions continue to develop throughout our lives, even through adulthood, we continue to refine our skills as we get older. Typically, adults will seek out the tools they need to progress through to managing more and more. These tools are often related to efficiency and planning, such as organizers or planners and calendars. As adults, we are often managing more than one schedule, perhaps more than one job, along with the care of ourself and possibly others. Distractions still present themselves however, and the development of our executive functions has a great impact on our ability to minimize or manage distractions.

There are many ways to address latency in development of executive functioning in children. One big topic for child development is their attention span and how these things can relate to behavioral problems. Sometimes sensory processing issues are involved or other circumstances of which parents may or may not be aware. As things are related in a holistic sense between the development of our body and mind, and therefore our behavior, it is best to speak to your doctor about concerns or just questions about your child’s development. Occupational, physical, or speech therapists can help determine the best path forward to help your child develop their executive functioning skills to maximize their independence in life.

Check out more of Tilton’s resources about childhood development, behavioral issues, and how therapists can help!

View all of our free printable activities and developmental games:

https://tiltonstherapyfortots.com/resources/category/Activities

Related Resources

Emotional Awareness & Regulation: https://tiltonstherapyfortots.com/resources/emotional-awareness-regulation

Identifying a Sensory Overload vs a Tantrum: https://tiltonstherapyfortots.com/resources/identifying-sensory-overload

Difficult Behaviors and Reframing Negative Challenging: https://tiltonstherapyfortots.com/resources/difficult-behaviors-reframing-negative-challenging

Childhood Development During the Holidays: https://tiltonstherapyfortots.com/resources/child-development-during-holidays