What 'Executive Function' actually means for your child’s academic performance.
By Academic Coach Kate Osmond
In recent years the term ‘Executive Function’ (EF) has become a bit of a buzzword among teachers, psychologists and politicians. It sounds complex but put simply, it refers to a set of cognitive processes that allow us to learn, work and manage daily tasks so that we can achieve our goals. Many advocate that the development of EF skills can lead to greater success, be that in an academic, professional or personal context.
To fully understand how developing these skills can positively impact your child’s academic performance we need to have a deeper look at the practicalities behind the phrase.
Breaking down Executive Function
It’s easier to understand Executive Function when we break it down into three main cognitive processes:
Flexible Thinking: The ability to see problems from different angles and find multiple ways to solve these problems.
Working Memory: The ability to remember information and be able to manipulate and use this information.
Inhibitory Control: The ability to express self-control. For example, by managing your behaviour and stopping yourself before you act on impulse. This involves managing your emotions and attention.
Executive Function infographic via Kate Osmond. https://kjosmond.myportfolio.com/work
Executive Function in an Academic Context
It’s one thing to understand what EF is, but another to translate it into useful information about how we function on a day to day basis. For instance, how does being able to think flexibly, use working memory and express self-control impact those in education, such as school children or university students?
In a classroom setting a student’s EF capacities enable them to:
Decide which activities and tasks to prioritise and complete
Learn and use new information
Organise and plan their work
Stay focused on tasks to achieve an end goal
Understand different points of view
Manage and regulate their emotions
Self-monitor (to keep track of their progress)
EF is clearly a vital ingredient for learning which ultimately enables children to manage themselves and their work.
Developing Executive Function capacities
It is perhaps obvious why academic institutions and educational psychologists have begun to put such an emphasis on developing students’ EF capacities. Strong EF skills not only affect academic achievement, but also positively impact mental health, work and general behaviour. Some researchers even claim that measuring EF skills is a better predictor of academic success than IQ .
Strengthening EF skills helps children through stressful times at school and equips them with the skills needed to tackle the challenges of life after they graduate.
Like anything, EF skills develop over time with practice. It is important to remember that each child is unique in their EF capacity and children with Special Educational Needs, such as ADHD, may particularly benefit from developing EF skills. There are many ways parents, teachers and tutors can help children to do this. With the right support, every individual has the potential to improve these skills.
What can an Academic Coach do to help?
So, the question we’ve all been waiting for; what are some practical ways in which individuals can develop their EF skills and learn strategies to work around their individual challenges?
Executive Function is at the heart of why students benefit from having an academic tutor or coach. Coaches work with students to develop their EF, using various strategies that are tailored to help the individual student achieve their goals. Here are some ways in which great Academic Coaches develop EF skills in their student:
Coaches tutor in Organisation Skills. For example, do students have a planner and know how to use it effectively?
They focus on Study Skills to make sure that students work efficiently. This involves creating habits that encourage students to pay attention and remain focussed whilst working.
Coaches work on Time Management and planning for deadlines. This reduces stress as it avoids last-minute panic.
Coaches help with Self-Management, teaching students to take ownership of their own work so that they feel in control of the outcomes.
They encourage Metacognition in students, enabling them to recognize their own areas of strength and weakness.
Coaches also teach students to ask for help when they need it, which empowers them to take control of their own learning process.
Throughout each session, Coaches use a holistic approach that aims to develop all areas of Executive Function. They foster habits in their students that encourage them to work independently; using their EF skills to attain their goals.
Having a strong Executive Function capacity sets a student up for life as these skills act as a robust coping mechanism against stress. Personal goals and tasks seem more manageable and less intimidating when students know how to be organised, study properly, manage their time and exhibit self control. This removes some of the stress from the learning process, allowing students to focus more energy on being creative, and actually enjoying what they are studying.
To help your student develop their Executive Function skill, set up a session with a Hampton Tutors academic coach by calling 0131 618 6688, or getting in touch via our Contact Us page.