What is Executive Functioning (EF) Anyway?

Fifteen years ago when I first started teaching, executive functioning was a word that was only used in IEP (individualized educational plans) meetings for students who had a variety of learning disabilities or other diagnosed disorders such as ADHD. Today, that is NOT the case. 

Executive functioning skills are widely viewed by educators and administrators as essential skills for all students in the classroom. 

So what are they?

When I think about Executive Functioning (EF) skills, I can generally lump them into a few categories:

1. Organization

2. Goal Setting

3. Planning & Prioritizing

4. Time Management

5. Productivity and Focus

6. Self-Awareness and Reflection

7. Self-Advocacy

The need for these skills is not isolated to kids with diagnosed learning and behavioral disorders. These are skills that every person needs to build, children and adults alike.

For some people, these skills come naturally. You probably have never heard the words executive functioning because you didn’t need to think about these skills. You were already doing them. For others like myself, you or your child (or your spouse) may struggle with these things daily.  And it might drive you crazy (I feel you). Executive functioning skills might be a new label (or not), but the battle to find them was always there.

As a parent and educator, I know that when I see kids using strategies that build their executive functioning skills, my home and my classroom are happier, more productive spaces. There is more space for creativity and fun because things feel in control. There is a solid foundation of planning and organization, so we don’t need to think about it anymore. Then, there is more room in my brain (and theirs) to be free to wander and explore and find joy.

That’s the point of teaching our children and students these skills - not to become time management and organizational robots - but to help them lay this foundation so that it doesn’t take over their days and lives. When we build these skills, kids don’t have to fight the EF battle anymore, and there lies the space for freedom and fun.

The question at hand is - where are students learning these skills? At home? In the classroom? 

I think the hard answer is that we haven’t quite figured it out yet. But I think if we work as a team - educators and parents together - we can make a difference.

Smile.

Erin Niles