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Signs of an Executive
Function Issue
All of Pathways.org’s
milestones are Executive
Function
supported by
 Struggles with time management American Academy
of Pediatrics
 Difficulty starting tasks on their own
findings.
 Disorganized

 Difficulty
using and applying All of Pathways.
information from memory org’s 300+ games
 Forgets rules easily have been developed
by licensed pediatric therapists.
 Difficulty
planning and
completing projects

 Needs to follow rigid routines

 Dislikes change

 Appears impulsive ®

 Poor emotional control

Pathways.org empowers parents and health professionals
 Struggles with open ended tasks with FREE tools and resources to maximize a child’s motor, sensory,
and communication development.
Copy freely for your
Executive Function skills are learned skills. friends@pathways.org personal use.
With practice and a little help, all children can improve their www.pathways.org DO NOT CHANGE.
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What are
Executive Function Skills? Activities to Develop Executive Function Skills
Executive Function skills help us organize Your child develops executive function skills through social interactions, play time, and everyday activities.
information, manage time, act appropriately, Here are some tips and activities you can do to help your child learn and improve upon their executive function skills.
and complete steps to reach a goal.
6-12 Months 4-5 Years
 Play Peek-A-Boo to practice remembering where  Encourage imaginary play to practice decision making
an object is, even if it can’t be seen  Have craft time to build creative thinking skills
 Talk to baby often to help build attention and focusing skills  Use storytelling to reflect on the order and details of events
 Provide age appropriate toys and household objects,  Ask questions while completing puzzles or games
like spoons or pots, for baby to explore to help with ability to think through steps
 Use imitation games, e.g. clapping hands, to build  Build shapes or figures together with building blocks or clay to
memory skills and teach baby how to copy you develop planning skills and complete tasks with multiple steps

13-24 Months 5+ Years

 Play pointing games, e.g. point and say the name
®  Play games that use matching, sorting
of objects, to practice paying attention and
and memory skills, e.g. Go Fish
learning how words and objects relate
 Engage in activities that require following
Key Areas of Executive Function  Provide simple directions to improve listening skills,
instructions, e.g. board games
remembering instructions, and starting new tasks
 Play games like Simon Says to practice remembering rules
Working Memory  Try finger painting with different colors
and thinking flexibly to adjust to different scenarios
• Takes in new information and uses it to complete a task to encourage creative thinking
 Use structured physical activities, like group
e.g. follows simple instructions from adults without reminders  Scoop and pour beans from one bucket to
soccer, to build focused attention skills
• Remembers and organizes key pieces of information for activities another using a plastic cup, which can help kids
 Provide opportunities to practice decision making, e.g. deciding
e.g. plays a board game using the rules learn to concentrate on a specific task
on an activity to do and figuring out how to complete it
Self-control 2-3 Years  Play guessing games like I Spy to practice remembering
• Thinks before acting and keeps feelings in check previous guesses and understanding the end goal of the game
 Sing songs and play games that include instructions,
e.g. raises hand in class instead of yelling
e.g. Mother May I?, to practice taking turns and
• Manages time by starting and completing activities when needed remembering words to complete an action
e.g. begins a morning routine like getting dressed without getting
distracted  Play in different environments to practice
adjusting to new experiences
Mental Flexibility  Put away toys and games after play to
• Adjusts to changing situations especially when things don’t go as planned help build organizational skills
e.g. easily switches from play time to dinner time  Play Follow the Leader to develop listening skills, the ability
• Considers different points of view to follow directions, and learning how to wait for a turn
e.g. uses problem solving to fix a homework mistake

Note: these are three commonly recognized areas of executive Please visit www.Pathways.org to find more FREE resources on child development. Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.