Let’s learn A B C … E F! That’s EF for Executive Functioning skills. They’re important for getting through the day, even for adults. Here are 4 ways to strengthen EF skills in our preschool kids.
What are Executive Functioning skills?
EF skills include:
- paying attention
- remembering and following rules
- regulating emotions
- taking turns
- self-control
- flexible thinking
1. Play ‘stop-and-think’ games like ‘Freeze Dance’ and ‘Simon Says’
EF skills:
- paying attention
- self-control
- flexible thinking
Other skills:
- listening
- language
- physical coordination
“These EF skills help children become more effective in classroom settings,” says Ms Khoo.
“With improved attention, children are better able to stay focused during lessons and complete tasks without getting distracted easily. They also learn to manage their impulses and adapt when faced with changing situations.”
2. Practise handwriting in a fun way
EF skills:
- memory
- self-control
Other skills:
- sequencing
- fine motor skills
“Tracing letters or strokes in order helps children practise focused attention by following lines carefully and resisting the urge to move randomly or quickly,” says Ms Khoo.
Forming letters/strokes with body actions, and representing letters/words with playdough and concrete objects, also help children improve their working memory as they remember what the letters look like and the direction and sequence of the strokes.
3. Play strategy-based games
EF skills:
- flexible thinking
- memory
Other skills:
- reading
- taking turns
- problem-solving
“Strategy games give children safe, playful opportunities to develop flexible thinking and problem-solving,” says Ms Khoo.
Children can play a movement game while practising reading. For example, they may be given three bean bags to aim at words of body parts they can recognise, jump to the bean bag and point to the corresponding part of the body. To play the game, they need to remember the game rules and strategise which word card to aim at.
Such games prepare children to cope with changes in routine and instruction, think in new ways and try different solutions.
4. Build opportunities into everyday routines to practise EF skills
EF skills:
- memory
- paying attention
- flexible thinking
Other skills:
- numeracy
- organisational skills
“When getting children to line up for their snacks or move from one place to another, teachers engage them in brief activities, like arranging themselves in sequential order according to the numeral or number word card they have,” says Ms Khoo.
At home, parents can turn household chores into games, such as challenging their children to sort laundry before the timer ends, or setting the table for mealtime. These games require them to plan how to do a task, remember the steps needed, and focus on a goal.
Executive functioning skills can help you child learn literacy and numeracy too!
Studies show that EF skills explain for up to 40% of individual differences in a child’s academic outcomes.**
**Extracted from a research paper ‘Building the brain’s air traffic control system: how early experiences shape the development of executive function’ (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2011)
