Get started with Executive Function
Get started with Executive Function, the root of academic and social emotional skill development. Prepare your organization for greater success.
Try the award-winning MEFS App™ today!
Executive Function
Get started with Executive Function, the root of academic and social emotional skill development. Prepare your organization for greater success.
Try the award-winning MEFS App™ today!
What is Executive Function?
As illustrated in the Tree of Success, Executive Function directly correlates to Academic Success & Social-Emotional Learning. Often called the air traffic controller of the mind, Executive Function is a key set of brain-based skills required for impulse control in children, as well as, academic and life success. In fact, Executive Function can be a better predictor of academic and social-emotional skills than traditional IQ tests, and it can be improved through reflection and practice. In short, Executive Function is one of the most important set of skills that children need to acquire in order to be successful in life.
What is Executive Function?
Executive Function directly correlates to Academic Success & Social-Emotional Learning. Often called the air traffic controller of the mind, Executive Function is a key set of brain-based skills required for impulse control in children, as well as, academic and life success. In fact, Executive Function can be a better predictor of academic and social-emotional skills than traditional IQ tests, and it can be improved through reflection and practice. In short, Executive Function is one of the most important set of skills that children need to acquire in order to be successful in life.
Why Measure Executive Function?
Executive Function can be a better predictor of academic and social-emotional skills than traditional IQ tests, it can be improved through reflection and practice. Executive Function supports the process of learning including: focusing, remembering, planning, reading, writing & computation.
Understanding and measuring Executive Function in children leads to:
-Teacher & caregivers increased ability to meet the needs of children faster and more efficiently.
-Equalizing school classrooms – reducing achievement gaps between students.
-Better outcomes for overall individual success including the prevention of serious difficulties in school & life.
Ultimate Goal: Empowered Children
There Are Three General Skills That Fall Under Executive Function:
Cognitive Flexibility, Working Memory & Inhibitory Control
Cognitive Flexibility
Thinking about something in multiple ways. For example, considering someone else’s perspective on a situation, or a different way to solve a problem.
Working Memory
Holding information in mind so it can be used to guide behavior. For example, keeping a question in mind in order to formulate an answer.
Inhibitory Control
Ignoring distractions and inhibiting impulsive responses. For example, paying attention to a teacher and resisting a side conversation with a friend.
Why Measure Executive Function?
Executive Function can be a better predictor of academic and social-emotional skills than traditional IQ tests, it can be improved through reflection and practice. Executive Function supports the process of learning including: focusing, remembering, planning, reading, writing & computation.
“Research on the developing brain shows us that early childhood experiences build the foundation for a skilled workforce, a responsible community, and a thriving economy. A new evidence base has identified a set of skills that are essential for school achievement, for the preparation and adaptability of our future workforce, and for avoiding a wide range of population health problems.” – from the Center of the Developing Child, Harvard University
Global Impact: Why Understanding EF Matters
“Research on the developing brain shows us that early childhood experiences build the foundation for a skilled workforce, a responsible community, and a thriving economy. A new evidence base has identified a set of skills that are essential for school achievement, for the preparation and adaptability of our future workforce, and for avoiding a wide range of population health problems.” – from the Center of the Developing Child, Harvard University
Why Use the MEFS App to Measure Executive Function?
Drs. Stephanie Carlson and Philip Zelazo, Co-Founders of Reflection Sciences, explain the MEFS App and the importance of measuring and improving children’s Executive Function skills.
Professional Development
Reflection Sciences offers a variety of professional development courses centered around the understanding, measurement, and improvement of Executive Function.
MEFS App™
Our award-winning MEFS App is research reliable and valid down to age 24 months. MEFS provides a direct score of Executive Function in approximately 5 minutes or less. Children love the game-like app!
Intervention
From digital games, to downloadable guides, Reflection Sciences and its reputable partners offer Executive Function intervention strategies for students of all ages in a variety of mediums.
Why Measure Executive Function?
3 Step Process to Improve SEL in Every Student
To maximize every child’s potential for success, Reflection Sciences encourages the most efficient path outlined in the 3 Step Process below. Step 1 gives administrative teams the foundational knowledge needed to fully understand Executive Function. Step 2 is the fast and easy assessment of the students in your schools and districts with our MEFS App™. Step 3 reminds us that Executive Function can always be improved and offers tools to make that happen. Get started today!
UNDERSTAND
Professional Development
Reflection Sciences offers a variety of professional development courses centered around the understanding, measurement, and improvement of Executive Function.
MEASURE
MEFS App™
Our award-winning MEFS App™ is research reliable and valid down to age 24 months. MEFS provides a direct score of Executive Function in approximately 5 minutes or less. Children love the game-like app!
IMPROVE
Intervention
From digital games, to downloadable guides, Reflection Sciences and its reputable partners offer Executive Function intervention strategies for students of all ages in a variety of means
Professional Development
Reflection Sciences offers a variety of professional development courses centered around the understanding, measurement, and improvement of Executive Function.
MEFS™ App
Our award-winning MEFS App is research reliable and valid down to age 24 months. MEFS provides a direct score of Executive Function in approximately 5 minutes or less. Children love the game-like app!
Intervention
From digital games, to downloadable guides, Reflection Sciences and its reputable partners offer Executive Function intervention strategies for students of all ages in a variety of mediums.
Executive Function & Social Development: What’s the connection?
Executive Function skills are consistently associated with social development. Individuals with better Executive Function skills are better able to understand someone else’s perspective and beliefs, as well as predict the behavior of others in a social setting. One form of social cognition associated with Executive Function is called Theory of Mind. Having a developed ‘Theory of Mind’ means having an understanding that people have their own thoughts, beliefs, emotions, opinions, and their own mental states, that might or might not align with reality or with someone else’s.
There is an implied connection between a preschooler’s ability to demonstrate their Theory of Mind and the development of executive functioning skills. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that much like early Executive Function skills, healthy early childhood social-emotional development is essential for educational readiness, social well-being, and preventive mental health.
“Theory of mind” is the understanding that peoples’ actions are caused by idiosyncratic mental states like beliefs, desires, and intentions.”
-Wellman, H. M. (1990). The Child ‘s Theory of Mind. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Executive Function & Social Development: What’s the connection?
Executive Function skills are consistently associated with social development. Individuals with better Executive Function skills are better able to understand someone else’s perspective and beliefs, as well as predict the behavior of others in a social setting. One form of social cognition associated with Executive Function is called Theory of Mind. Having a developed ‘Theory of Mind’ means having an understanding that people have their own thoughts, beliefs, emotions, opinions, and their own mental states, that might or might not align with reality or with someone else’s.
There is an implied connection between a preschooler’s ability to demonstrate their Theory of Mind and the development of executive functioning skills. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that much like early Executive Function skills, healthy early childhood social-emotional development is essential for educational readiness, social well-being, and preventive mental health.
“Theory of mind” is the understanding that peoples’ actions are caused by idiosyncratic mental states like beliefs, desires, and intentions.”
Wellman, H. M. (1990). The Child ‘s Theory of Mind. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
What your organization gets with their Reflection Sciences Plan
Free Plan
For Individual Classrooms
Premium Plan
For B2B Customers
What your organization gets with their Reflection Sciences Plan
Features
Free Plan
For Individual Classrooms
Premium Plan
For B2B Customers
Basic Executive Function (EF) and Introductory Assessment Training (60 minutes)
EFgo™
MEFS™
Up to 35
Unlimited
Free Classroom Intervention Activity (Bear/Dragon)
Personalized Interventions Recommendations
Advanced Research Data Export / Trials
Premium Products
Available with respective plan(s)
Upgrades Available
For Classrooms
Premium Plan
For B2B Customers
Executive Function MEFS Certification
Professional Development
RS Interventions Activities Guide
Partner Interventions
Consulting / Advanced Data Analysis
RS Provides Examiners for Professional Development + MEFS Deployment/Assessment