Executive Function, or “EF”,is a distinct set of skills imperative to school readiness and academic success. Scientists refer to these skills as the biological foundation for adaptation and learning throughout life. They argue that strong working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control – the 3 components of EF – provide the basis upon which children’s…
“Trauma” has become a buzzword of sorts. You might have heard the term “trauma-informed education” or heard someone say that they feel “triggered”. These words and phrases have gained popularity, with some even suggesting that “trauma” was the mental health buzzword of 2018. The American Psychological Association defines trauma as, “an emotional response to a…
As an educator, you know how important it is to find learning and behavioral issues as early as possible in children to give them the best chance for academic and social emotional success. Reading proficiently by the end of third grade (as measured by NAEP at the beginning of fourth grade) can be a make-or-break…
Reducing Stress and Supporting Executive Function Development Stress is the enemy of Executive Function. It undermines reflection, attention, self-awareness, thinking, and problem-solving capacity. Watch the video below to see how prolonged stress can be mitigated by mindfulness training and help to promote successful problem solving. Want to learn more about activities you can do with…
Successful problem solving depends on reflection Successful problem solving depends on reflection: considering the information you know and how it relates to the problem at hand. Performance on the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) Task, a precursor to the Minnesota Executive Function Scale, improves after children are prompted to *stop* and *reflect* briefly before responding.…
Executive Function skills change significantly between the ages of 3 and 5. In this example video, Dr. Stephanie Carlson, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Reflection Sciences, explains how 4-year-olds outperform 3-year-olds during a “Less is More” game… until the 3-year-olds ability to pretend is used. Watch the video to see how! Key takeaways: Executive…
Mindfulness impacts social and academic achievement In this video, learn how mindfulness is essential to early childhood development of academic and social skills, and how it can be improved through activities in the classroom. Mindfulness is a way of thinking that promotes moment-to-moment attention to yourself and the environment. Mindfulness is regulated by a cognitive…
Screen Time Guidance for Children During the Quarantine Among the many challenges facing parents in these uncertain times is the question of how much screen time is too much for their developing children? Prior to the coronavirus-related shutdowns, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that preschoolers not spend more than 1 hour per day watching…
We know that families are the foundation of a strong and thriving community. Unfortunately, however, many factors such as living in poverty, absence of mental health care, and lack of educational opportunities can impede families’ wellbeing. The Family Partnership is a 142-year-old non-profit organization based in Minneapolis focused on closing the achievement and opportunity gaps…
The stay-at-home orders and remote learning brought about by the novel coronavirus can be especially difficult for teens and their families to adjust to. The added stress and uncertainty combined with the reduced social group interactions can make teens feel anxious, less productive and more stressed. By leveraging mindfulness, reflection and executive function skills, parents…