What Are Executive Functioning Skills for Student Success?
Students are expected to have well developed Executive Functioning skills by the time they reach high school, but unfortunately these critical life skills are not typically taught in elementary school or middle school. With expert guidance and structure, students can learn to effectively manage themselves so that they are equipped for taking on challenges in school or in life. Consistent academic performance requires stamina which is built on a foundation of solid skills. Some important Executive Functioning skills for students include:
- Time management
- Organizing thoughts and materials
- Paying attention
- Planning and prioritizing
- Getting started (task initiation)
- Staying on track
- Remembering what to do and when to do it
- Problem solving
- Self-reflection
- Managing emotions and impulses
Executive Function Skills by Age
To help you better understand the typical development of executive function skills in children, we've put together a breakdown of EF skills by age group. Please keep in mind that every child is different and, although this outlined list is a helpful guide, every child will progress are their own pace.
Elementary School (Ages 5 - 10)
Executive functioning skills for kids are foundational building blocks for future development. Children in elementary school are developing emerging tools that they will use for the rest of their lives. Examples of these include:
- Learning to pay attention
- Learning to control their behavior
- Following simple sets of directions
- Use their working memory recall information and apply it to their current situation
Get comprehensive information about executive function in elementary school students.
Middle School (Ages 11 - 13)
Children who successfully develop impulse control, the ability to follow directions and focus their attention go on to develop more cognitively intensive executive function skills in middle school. The next level of development includes milestones such as:
- Learning to think and plan ahead
- Planning and problem solving
- Develop self-reflection skills to help them take ownership of new habits
- Following daily routines
Learn more information about executive function in middle school students.
High School (Ages 14 - 18)
In high school, students are beginning to turn the corner with developing executive functioning skills that will support them in their adult years. More advanced skills at this stage look like:
- Learning to think and behave with flexibility
- Adapting to shifting expectations and rules
- Collaborating with peers to complete projects
- Learn how to study and take tests effectively
Get comprehensiveDiscover more information about executive function in high school students.
College (Ages 19+)
Once a child moves into adulthood, they should continue to develop their executive function skills throughout their lives. Even after the age of 18, a person's brain will continue to develop and they will continue to adapt to new challenges. Some ways college-age individuals exercise EF skills include:
- Practice methods to cope with test anxiety and stress
- Learn how to get work started and persist with challenging work
- Develop systems to start and complete various tasks and projects
- Learn and apply strategies to stay on task and maintain attention
Read more information about executive function in college students.
How Are Your Child's Executive Function Skills?
Take our assessment to learn which Executive Function areas are strengths or challenges for your middle school or high school child.
You'll rate your child's abilities in the areas of time management, planning and completing work, managing emotions, organization, and managing their behavior.
Coaching for Executive Functioning Skills
If your child is falling behind in their development of EF skills, don’t fret! There are many evidence-based tools and strategies they can learn to bolster their Executive Functioning. Working with a coach can speed this process along, as coaches work to tailor methods to each student’s specific strengths and weaknesses.
Our Executive Function coaches are carefully screened, highly trained, and ready to work face to face online or in person with students who are experiencing challenges in any of the skills listed above. Beyond BookSmart is the nationally recognized expert in helping students become more effective learners. We have helped thousands of students gain the skills they need through our revolutionary approach to changing habits and our comprehensive database with over 375 tools and strategies. Ready to learn more?
