This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Words That Work: How Verbal Short-Term Memory Opens Doors to Gains in Speech and Literacy About the Study: This article describes the findings of the study ”Verbal Short-Term Memory Underlies Typical Development of “Thought Organization” Measured as Speech Connectedness’ Mota et. al,…
What Is the Minnesota Executive Function Scale (MEFS®)?
The MEFS® is a 5-minute direct assessment of executive function for ages 2 and up. How it works, where it came from, and what the results mean.
Kindergarten Readiness and Executive Function: What Parents Should Know
What kindergarten readiness really depends on: how executive function grows before school, what the research shows, and simple ways to build it at home.
The Science of Executive Function: What’s Happening in Your Child’s Brain
How the prefrontal cortex, reflection, and stress shape executive function in early childhood, and what the brain science means for parents.
Executive Function: The Skills Behind Life and Learning
What executive function is, why it predicts school and life success beyond IQ, how it grows from age 2 to 7, and how families can support it at home.
Science Spotlight: EF Practice Shown to Improve Math Skills
Close up of little girl and little boy practicing executive function and numeracy
Can You Hear the Sound? Shake, Rattle, and Roll with Listening Game Fun!
Hear ye, hear ye! Parents, practicing focused attention can be simple and fun with an activity that will have your child all ears! This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Relax and practice mindful thinking by concentrating on a specific sound. It helps children understand what paying attention to…
Fathers Matter: The Role of Father Autonomy Support and Control in Executive Function Development
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Fathering Futures: The Impact of Dad’s Guidance on Child Executive Function About the Study: This article discusses a study that investigated an often-overlooked aspect of child development—the influence of fathers on their children’s executive function (EF) skills. While extensive research has…
Science Concepts for Preschoolers: Matching Instructional Approaches to Individual Learning Needs
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Preschoolers are naturally curious and ready to explore simple science concepts. This week, we review a study that suggests tailoring instructional approaches to match your child’s learning needs, nurture their scientific curiosity, and support the development of their executive function skills. Before…
Little Gains, Big Gains: How Nurturing Executive Function Skills in Preschoolers Impacts Their Adulthood
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families. Regular readers of this series know that childhood executive function (EF) predicts a range of important school-related outcomes. But did you know early EF also predicts other outcomes later in life? This week we look at the results of a study that…