When we think about babies and toddlers, we often picture curious explorers learning to crawl, walk, and talk. But did you know that even in these earliest years, their brains are laying the groundwork for critical executive functioning skills? Let’s dive in with McKenna Donegon, MS OTR/L, Leaps and Bounds Occupational Therapist explain what executive functioning looks like in this age group, why it’s important, and how pediatric occupational therapy (OT) can help.
What is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning is a set of cognitive abilities that control skills required for goal-directed behavior (such as organization and completing tasks). It requires skills such as; working memory, impulsive inhibition, attention and problem solving skills. Executive functioning skills are used in everyday life.
Executive Functioning Development
Believe it or not, executive functioning skills begin to develop in infancy! They continue to develop into young adulthood.
Allowing young children the chance to explore a variety of toys/materials and opportunities to problem solve is important for developing skills needed for successful executive functioning. Social play activities (with other people or children) is also important to help develop executive functioning skills.
As children grow and are given more responsibilities (ex. at school and at home) this gives them more opportunities to continue to develop their executive functioning skills.
Activities to work on Executive Functioning at home
Allow activities to challenge kids at their level and allow them the opportunity to fail so they can problem solve, emotionally regulate and feel success once their goal is achieved!
It is natural to want to help your child or not want them to become upset. However, allowing your children to problem solve and try things multiple times helps their brains develop in many ways. Allowing your child to have difficulty with something and feel frustration and/or anger gives them an opportunity to work through their feelings and practice emotional regulation.
You can encourage your child to “try again” before helping and then provide assistance, or provide support to regulate and work through their emotions, if they become upset.
Toddlers/Preschoolers
- Play games where they have to wait until you say “ready, set, go!” or “1, 2, 3” to do something (ex. wind up toy, throw a ball).
- Finger play songs where they imitate your actions (ex. wheels on the bus or itsy bitsy spider).
- Problem solving toys, such as toys that they need to figure out how to get something out, puzzles, cause and effect toys, busy boards, etc.
At this age, there are opportunities for problem solving in almost anything, with something as simple as putting blocks together. The important part is to allow them time to problem solve. If they need help, first model and have them try again, then provide the least amount of help needed for them to succeed.
- Simple directions or chores, such as directing the child to throw something away, put something away, do an action (jump), get the red ball, etc.
- Simple board games; which work on attention, problem solving, inhibition control and working memory.
School-aged Children
- Crafts! These work on many skills including planning, completing that plan, attention, completing a task (start to finish), creativity and fine motor skills.
- Simple science experiments, such as mixing colors to see what new color it makes or sensory recipes (play-doh, cloud dough, slime, etc).
- Routine chores at home, appropriate for their age.
- Organized sports.
- More complicated puzzles, mazes, games.
Ways to support children struggling with Executive Functioning Skills
- Routines or Schedules
- Checklists or Visual reminders
- Breaking down the task into smaller tasks
- Graphic organizers or verbally talking it out – to help figure out the steps to complete a task
- Chaining (child only completes a couple steps of the task at first, then add another step once they are successful, and so on, until they can complete the task)
- Regulation activities (ex. completing a regulating task prior to completing a task that requires higher executive functioning skills)
The Importance of Early Intervention
Executive functioning develops rapidly during the early years, and supportive interventions can make a significant difference. Pediatric OT provides targeted, playful opportunities to strengthen these skills, setting the stage for future success.
Executive functioning may not be top of mind when thinking about babies and toddlers, but it’s a vital part of their growth and development. By recognizing the importance of these emerging skills and seeking support when needed, parents and caregivers can give their little ones a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
If you have concerns about your child’s development or want to learn more about how pediatric OT can help, reach out to us today. Together, we can nurture your child’s potential from the very beginning!