®

Some Possible Warning

Signs of an Executive
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All of Pathways.org’s milestones are Executive
Function Issue
supported by American
Academy of Pediatrics
findings.
Function
Struggles with time management

Difficulty starting tasks on their own

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

Needs to follow rigid routines

Dislikes change

Appears impulsive ®

Poor emotional control

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Struggles with open ended tasks with FREE tools and resources to maximize a child’s motor, sensory,
and communication development.
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Executive Function skills are learned skills. [email protected] personal use. Pathways.org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
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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
 lay Peek-A-Boo to practice remembering where
P 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
 rovide age appropriate toys and household objects,
P  sk questions while completing puzzles or games
A
like spoons or pots, for baby to explore to help with ability to think through steps
 se imitation games, e.g. clapping hands, to build
U  uild shapes or figures together with building blocks or clay to
B
memory skills and teach baby how to copy you develop planning skills and complete tasks with multiple steps

13-24 Months 5+ Years

 lay pointing games, e.g. point and say the name
P
®  lay games that use matching, sorting
P
of objects, to practice paying attention and
and memory skills, e.g. Go Fish
learning how words and objects relate
Key Areas of Executive Function  rovide simple directions to improve listening skills,
P
Engage in activities that require following
instructions, e.g. board games
remembering instructions, and starting new tasks
Play games like Simon Says to practice remembering rules
Working Memory  ry finger painting with different colors
T
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  coop and pour beans from one bucket to
S
soccer, to build focused attention skills
• Remembers and organizes key pieces of information for activities another using a plastic cup, which can help kids
 rovide opportunities to practice decision making, e.g. deciding
P
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  lay guessing games like I Spy to practice remembering
P
• Thinks before acting and keeps feelings in check previous guesses and understanding the end goal of the game
 ing songs and play games that include instructions,
S
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  lay in different environments to practice
P
adjusting to new experiences
Mental Flexibility  ut away toys and games after play to
P
• 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  lay Follow the Leader to develop listening skills, the ability
P
• 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.