This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Parents: Just hanging around? Swing into numeracy fun with this new take on a classic game. Dive into the world of playful learning and discover how the classic game 5 Little Monkeys can boost both numeracy and executive function. Learn more about…
Before They Get to Kindergarten: New Research Sheds Light on the Value of Early EF Screening.
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Unlike most assessments of school readiness, Executive Function (EF) screenings focus on essential cognitive skills like inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. These skills predict success in school. They can also be improved during preschool years with the right support. Recent research by scientists from…
EF and Math Success
Understanding How Executive Function Training Impacts Mathematics Skills in Preschool Children: A Conversation With Developmental Psychologist Dr. Jasmine Ernst Evidence suggests there is a positive correlation between strong executive function (EF) skills and academic growth over time. Programs that integrate EF practice into early childhood curriculum may see significant improvements in learning and social development. Why…
The Family Partnership Spotlight
Welcome to The Family Partnership Spotlight, where we celebrate families’ crucial role in nurturing children’s social-emotional development. Discover the power of fostering empathy, resilience, and positive relationships. Join us in exploring practical strategies and heartwarming family stories that exemplify the transformative effects of intentional parenting. Together, let’s empower children with essential life skills for a brighter, more emotionally intelligent future.
Provision Choice and Executive Function Development
Provision of Choice is Key to Executive Function Development in Toddlers It is clear that early executive function (EF) skills are important for many outcomes including social competence, emotion regulation, academic achievement, and school readiness (Allan et al., 2014, McClelland et al., 2013; Willoughby et al., 2017). We have seen remarkable growth in the number…
Distanced but still Social: Youth and Digital Media during COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, child and adolescent use of digital media increased at unprecedented rates. In addition to attending classes through webcams, youth relied on digital media to socialize with peers, engage in social activism, play games, learn new skills, and interact with health care providers. This increased use has many parents wondering: Are my…
Who is Miss Mary Mack?
I often find myself feeling nostalgic as I pass by an elementary school playground and see children playing some of the same games I used to love as a kid. Playground games are typically passed down from generation to generation and often with a minor tweak here or there. What’s great about sing-along hand games…
How long can you concentrate?
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;…
Ready? Set? Roll!!
We’ve made it through the dog days of summer! What are those you might say? I looked it up – and without getting to “sciency”, it is the hottest part of summer due to the tilt of the earth and is named after a bright star. (My passion for science never waivers…) So what is…
Button, Button. Who’s Got the Button?
I grew up in the days of danger… rickety swingsets, no bicycle helmets, and climbing trees as high as I could without an adult within a block. This was also a time when games weren’t very sophisticated and household items were never discarded, just added to the toy bin. This week’s activity, Button, Button. Who’s Got…