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…
Now You See It, Now You Don’t!
Can you find five differences in the image above? This task requires concentration and focus, behaviors that rely heavily on the Executive Function (EF) skill of working memory. Working memory is the skill to keep information active in your mind for a short period of time (seconds) and keeping it available for further processing. This…
Quit Bugging Me!
I’m sure we’ve heard that often enough over the last year and a half! Big sisters heckling little brothers, little cousins annoying overly cool teenagers, and yes, your youngest child hanging on your sleeve. Covid has definitely tested one’s patience. It’s time to get outdoors, stretch your legs, and explore the micro world of insects.…
Shake, Rattle, and Roll!
Or better yet, hop, skip, and jump! No matter how we phrase it, activity and play is important for everyone, children and adults alike. That is why Reflection Sciences and Playworks are working together this summer to make sure learning through fun continues. There are relationships between children’s play and development in several areas, including…
Walk Like an Egyptian!
You know the lyrics, and you can’t resist walking like an Egyptian when the song comes on. So you think it makes you the dorky parent but really it actually is strengthening your Executive Function skills! WHAT?! You read it right. Pretend play (yes, adults can do it, too) is a great way to support…
Can You Really Grow Your Own Pizza?
Some of playtime can be planning, and growing a flourishing garden can require just that. This week’s activity Potted Garden, helps kids appreciate where food and flowers come from and what goes into bringing them into their home. Growing plants is a fun, educational activity that families can enjoy anytime and encourages children to experiment with…
Singing + Ball + Fun = Learning!
It’s week 2 in our #WhattheEFSummer fun activity series and we have great news! Playworks is joining the team and adding to our list of games that strengthen Executive Function Skills and Social Emotional Learning. Singing, Throwing, Laughing This week we are focusing on impulse control and prosocial behavior with Wonderball, an active, outdoor game…
Don’t Just Stand There!
New week, new game for our #WhattheEFSummer fun activity series. Executive Function and Social Emotional Development Games This week we’re seeing how well kids can pay attention and not get caught by a tricky playmate. Boppity Bop Bop Bop is a fun outdoor game meant to help kids concentrate and not get distracted. Reflection Sciences…
Summer Learning, Summer FUN!
The last year in education has been, well, downright crazy and our youngest learners struggled to keep up. Research has shown that many children have actually lost ground and are at risk of entering school next year behind their peers. We know that strong Executive Function (EF) skills are at the heart of getting them…
Give Your Kids an “I CAN DO THIS!” Moment
In a recent Raising Good Humans podcast, Goldilocks Parenting: How to Shape Executive Function Skills Through Caregiving Dr. Carlson explains that kids need to realize they have a choice in how they think, act, or feel. As children make these decisions, they own it and learn to realize each has its own consequence, good or…