Supporting classroom success is a big part of the school counselor role! While executive functions skills for kids may not come naturally to many, these skills help kids emotionally, academically, and socially. Keep reading to find 8 important executive functions skills for kids that support academic success.
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Executive Functions Skills for Kids
1 – Attentive Listening & Cue Recognition
Being able to clue in to speakers and recognize important cues is imperative for school success. Teachers use so many verbal and nonverbal cues to signal students to let them know what to do next or what is expected, and being able to recognize these clues is so important!
2 – Sustained Attention
Giving full attention to one task or an assignment is a huge skill for kids to develop. In a world where we split our attention constantly, being able to give full attention to a given task will help kids succeed in the classroom.
3 – Planning Ahead
Whether it’s for a long term project, an out of school team or club, or something else, being able to plan ahead gives kids an edge. When kids can look at the big picture of an assignment and break it into smaller parts to help them plan and manage time accordingly, they are more likely to succeed!
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4 – Organization
Keeping track of materials or supplies is a must for all students. Whether they’re organizing the inside of their desk or keeping up with projects and assignments, organization is a skill that builds success in all academic arenas.
5 – Progress Monitoring
Being able to recognize how they’re doing right now and then measure progress moving forward is a big ask for some students. But it can take them so far! We want students to compare themselves to themselves, not to others. Progress monitoring helps them keep track of their own growth compared to their own past performance.
6 – Self Regulation
Being aware and in control of emotions is a must for classroom success. When students are able to recognize and manage their own feelings, they spend more time in the classroom and actively engaged. Find more tips for teaching kids about coping skills here.
7 – Self Monitoring
Recognizing how they are doing in the moment and if their current feelings, thoughts, and actions are helping them succeed, will take kids far in the classroom. When kids can recognize their own thoughts, feelings, and actions in the moment and align these with classroom goals, they stay engaged longer and are better able to meet classroom expectations.
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8 – Asking for Help
None of these skills come independently, and it’s always okay to ask for help! When kids are able to recognize when they need help and ask for it in appropriate ways, they stay on track and make progress towards goals.
Help build executive functions skills for kids with this small group counseling curriculum!
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