Executive Function Essentials in the Classroom

A guide for teachers on how to support students struggling with their executive functions with strategies for the classroom, as well as activities for pupils and guides for parents.

Executive function is the cognitive process that organizes thoughts and activities, prioritizes tasks, manages time efficiently, and makes decisions. This must-read guide gives practical steps and strategies to support children who face difficulties caused by impaired executive function, often experienced by neurodivergent children.

What is executive functioning? How does it affect learning?

Executive functions (EFs) are a group of complex mental processes and cognitive abilities required to organize thoughts and activities, prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, make decisions and regulate our behaviour and emotions. They do not reach maturity until an individual is well into their 20s, and so teachers and educators have enormous potential to help pupils hone those skills so that they are better equipped for the process of learning.

But what do you do if it's impaired?

This guide includes a step-by-step approach to improving executive functioning within the classroom and beyond. It will provide effective strategies to use in daily life, and show teachers how to enhance awareness in the classroom, as well as giving students activities to do, to develop their own skills.