I knew the day would eventually come – my grandson beat me at Memory. Usually, I let him win, but as the game progressed, I felt myself actually trying and missing one pair after another. We all know it’s inevitable, a child’s working memory surpassing that of a rusty adult brain. Not that I’m admitting defeat; I’m just going to have to add a brain workout into my daily routine to remain competitive.
Someone who struggles with Executive Function (EF) skills (working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility) may have trouble starting or completing tasks, finishing complex, multistep projects, or staying organized. They often struggle without structure and may lose important items frequently.
To help support EF growth, our activity this week focuses on recalling information and sustained attention. Concentration Ball requires children to remember the names of other players while focusing on specific vocabulary words. Sounds simple, however, the cognitive demand challenges a person’s EF skills and enhances their development.
Reflection Sciences believes in the power of PLAY in early childhood development and continually develops games and activities that engage and entertain. Be sure to check out our past blogs and a full game library from Playworks.
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About the Author:
Carrie Fruin is the mother of three sons and grandmother of two. She taught high school science for over 25 years and still is active in STEM education.
She has a strong belief that all children can learn, and it is through the understanding of Executive Function (EF) skills and their relationship to Social-emotional learning (SEL) that will assist educators in reaching all children and providing them a true foundation for success in life.