You can’t go too far in the neurodevelopment world without seeing the term “executive functioning," Does everyone seem to assume you already know what they are talking about (no, it’s not about your child’s potential to become a CEO!)? If you have ever been in that situation, don’t worry we all have. Hopefully this post provides an easily digestible, bite-sized portion of executive functioning to help you navigate the world of neurodevelopment as a pro.
Executive functioning skills ,you might have also seen the term “cognitive control," are a set of mental skills involved in concentrating on a task that demands our full attention. For instance, you wouldn’t be using executive functioning skills to flick through your favourite social media on the couch after a long day, but you would be to solve the Sunday crossword. Using these skills takes up A LOT of energy, and is essential for succeeding in school and further into life. There are three main types of executive functioning skills: self-control, working memory, and mental flexibility.
Self-Control
The first we will briefly discuss is self-control, or as it is otherwise referred to by fancy pants people, “inhibitory control.” This skill represents our ability to “override” our animal-like impulses and act in a way that is considered appropriate. Think of it as the skill that lets us hold back our urge to grab someone’s ice cream on a hot day, even if we really want to! Instead, we wait and maybe buy our own on the way home.
Self-control is what allows us to pause, think, and make choices based on social norms and long-term goals, rather than short-term urges. It’s a skill that takes years to develop and refine, especially in young children, who are still learning to manage impulses. All children need our guidance, and it also helps to acknowledge that it’s hard to know what is right or wrong in every given moment. This shows your child that you understand their needs and wants, and is a first step in teaching them the right ways to go about getting them.
Working Memory
Working memory is our brains notepad, it is our ability to hold information and use it later to solve a problem. This skill is essential to making sense of the world around us, to connect the dots as we move throughout the day. It is the role of working memory to start to develop reasoning skills and to see patterns in seemingly unrelated events.
Working memory enables us to follow a conversation, remember instructions or piece together clues to solve a problem. It’s also the foundation for reasoning skills and pattern recognition, helping us make sense of our experiences.
Working memory plays an essential role in learning and academic tasks, such as math and reading comprehension, as it helps us hold information in mind and use it when needed.
Cognitive Flexibility
The last type of executive functioning skill we will discuss is cognitive flexibility, which is essentially the skill of changing our perspectives. This is a much higher-level skill that comes much later in development compared to the others. It allows us to consider information from another’s perspective and is essential in problem-solving, as it helps us consider different options and adapt when we encounter unexpected challenges.
For example, if you plan to go to the park but it starts raining, cognitive flexibility helps you pivot and decide on an indoor activity instead. This flexibility is also essential for social interactions, where understanding different perspectives is crucial.
So that is a very brief run down on the three main types of executive functioning, self-control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Delays in these skills are commonly seen in individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. Recognising these delays and encouraging the development of these skills can improve learning, behaviour and development.
Keep an eye out for an upcoming post where we will delve more into how executive function delays present in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Comments