Executive Functioning Skills Training Center

A Place to Explore and Build Your Skills

Overview

Executive functioning is a term psychologists use to describe the many tasks our brains perform that are necessary to think, act, and solve problems. Executive functioning includes tasks that help us learn new information, keep new or recent information in our minds, and use this information to solve problems of everyday life. A person's executive functioning skills make it possible for them to live, work, and learn with an appropriate level of independence and competence for their age. Executive functioning allows people to access information, think about solutions, and implement those solutions.

Executive functioning skills are some of the most foundational elements for academic and social success. They are the skills that help us to plan, stay organized, pay attention to important information, use strategies to get us back on track when we veer off course, be flexible when things don’t go our way, and persevere through challenges. Executive functioning skills aren’t just an extra. They are the critical foundation that allows young people (and adults, too) to be successful in the classroom and beyond. With that, they deserve attention.

This website focuses on 10 Executive Function Skills divided into three categories: 1) The Student; 2) The Materials; 3) The Academics.

Each Executive Function Skill has several videos, articles, assessments and worksheets (guided notes) providing support to build competencies in and improve these skills. It is recommended you print the guided notes to write your responses and reflect. However, you can write your responses to the questions on the guided notes in a notebook if printing is not possible. (As pointed out in "Note Taking" you absorb and retain more information by handing writing notes rather than typing them on a computer). There is a great deal of information within the site, visit often as you identify, develop and practice various Executive Function Skills.

A graphic spelling out executive functioning skills; text found on this page

Executive Functioning Skills

Planning

Planning is the ability to figure out how to accomplish your goals.

Organization

Organization is the ability to develop and maintain a system that keeps materials and plans orderly.

Time Management

Time management is having an accurate understanding of how long tasks will take and using time wisely and effectively to accomplish tasks.

Task Initiation

Task initiation is the ability to independently start tasks when needed. It is the process that allows you to just begin something even when you don't really want to.

Working Memory

Working memory is the mental processes that allow us to hold information in our minds while working with it.

Metacognition

Metacognition is being aware of what you know and using that information to help you learn.

Self Control

Self control is the ability to regulate yourself, including your thoughts, actions, and emotions.

Attention

Attention is being able to focus on a person or task for a period of time and shifting that attention when needed.

Perseverance

Perseverance is the ability to stick with a task and not give up, even when it becomes challenging.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adopt to new situations and deal with change.

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