Executive Function Stages and Ages

Executive function (EF) includes working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. These mental processes help us plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks successfully. Building these skills early on sets the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Infants (0-12 months):

• Cognitive flexibility: Swapping focus when things change is a big challenge! Infants can shift their focus from unpleasant things to those they find more appealing.
• Working memory: Infants can store small amounts of information for short periods of time. Older infants begin to anticipate repeated actions.
• Inhibitory control: Infants look to caregivers for regulation. Some self-soothing tactics develop.

Let’s Play! Sensory Exploration Basket

• EF Skill Practiced: Sensory exploration
  • Grab a soft container or lined basket.
  • Add toys or bits of fabric with different textures and colors.
  • Allow your infant to handle the objects.
  • Gently introduce new objects to encourage more exploration.

Toddlers (12-24 months):

• Cognitive flexibility: Toddlers have increased cognitive flexibility compared to infants, allowing them to categorize objects in multiple ways.
• Working memory: Complex patterns of activity are tough! Your toddler notices patterns in your actions and also understands when you break the pattern.
• Inhibitory control: Basic self-regulation strategies become more advanced. Toddlers still seek your directions and support for control.

Let’s Play! Shape Sorting Fun

• EF Skills Practiced: Cognitive flexibility, working memory
  • Assemble toys or objects with different shapes and some small containers or baskets on a blanket or mat.
  • Designate one container for each different shape. Model which shape goes in which container and name the shapes with your child.
  • Ask your child to sort all of one shape into its container.
  • Repeat with the remaining objects until everything is sorted.

Early Preschoolers (2-3 years):

• Cognitive flexibility: Flexibility continues to increase. By age 3, EF skills vary within “hot” (emotional) and “cool” (non-emotional) situations.
• Working memory: Memory has increased to allow children in this range to play games with multiple rules and keep three pieces of information in mind.
• Inhibitory control: Waiting is possible, even in exciting situations! Early preschoolers can wait their turn in games, even when tempted by things like gifts. 

Let’s Play! Rule-Based Shape Sorting Game

• EF Skills Practiced: Cognitive flexibility, working memory
  • Assemble colored paper, various objects with different shapes, and some small containers or baskets on a blanket or mat.
  • Explain the sorting rules: “For red, put in all the round shapes; for blue, put in all the square shapes; and for yellow, put in all the triangular shapes.”
  • Show a shape that fits multiple rules (e.g., a round red ball).
  • Encourage your child to start sorting shapes based on the given rules.

Preschoolers (3-4 years):

• Cognitive flexibility: Doing the opposite of what is asked of them is a challenge for this group.
• Working memory: Preschoolers practice “self-talk” to keep rules and information in mind. Playtime gets more complex!
• Inhibitory control: Self-regulation increases, particularly in “hot” (emotional) situations.

Let’s Play! Opposite Day Challenge

• EF Skills Practiced: Cognitive flexibility, working memory, inhibitory control
  • Lay out colored cards or paper in different areas of the room, each representing a specific action.
  • Explain that today is “Opposite Day” and the goal is to do the opposite of what the cards indicate.
  • Pick a card and perform the opposite action, then encourage the child to do the same.
  • Introduce a memory element by displaying multiple cards and asking the child to remember the opposite actions for each.

Kindergarteners (4-5 years):

• Cognitive flexibility: Four-year-olds can think about their own beliefs as well as the beliefs of others.
• Working memory: Self-talk becomes more of an inner monologue. Working memory expands to four pieces of information at play.
• Inhibitory control: Kindergarteners understand inhibitory control well enough to evaluate others’ self-regulation abilities.

Let’s Play! “In My Shoes” Role-Play

• EF Skills Practiced: Working memory, self-regulation
  • Provide scenario cards or read aloud written scenarios that involve conflicting beliefs or emotions.
  • Explain that the child will have the opportunity to step into different roles and understand how others may think or feel in various situations.
  • Assign roles to the child and yourself for the role-play.
  • Encourage them to express their beliefs and understand the conflicting beliefs of the other role.

School-agers (5-12 years):

• Cognitive flexibility: Switching between rules is easy for this age group!
• Working memory: Working memory is similar to that of adults; around 5 pieces of information can be stored at once. Children begin creating more complex plans.
• Inhibitory control: Proactive, rather than reactive, inhibition takes over. This age group can also inhibit automatic responses and reflect on their actions. 

Let’s Play! Dynamic Rule Switching Game

• EF Skills Practiced: Cognitive flexibility, working memory, inhibitory control
  • Lay out colored cards or paper in different areas of the room, each representing a sorting category.
  • Explain that the rules for sorting will change dynamically. For example, start with sorting by color, then switch to sorting by shape after a set time.
  • Start a timer and instruct your child to sort the objects according to the initial rule (e.g., color), then switch to sorting by shape after a set time. The child must adapt quickly to the new rule!