Helping young children develop executive skills is essential for their learning, problem-solving, and self-regulation. These skills - like focusing attention, planning, and managing emotions - can be intentionally taught in the classroom using simple strategies. Here’s how.  

Explain: Name and Describe the Skill 

Start by clearly describing the executive skill you want children to learn.

• Give the skill a name (e.g., “planning ahead” or “staying focused”).

• Explain why it is important and how it helps in everyday life.

• Ask children what they think the skill is or why it might be useful - it encourages engagement and understanding.

Model: Show the Skill in Action 

Demonstrate the skill through your own behaviors so children can see it in action.

• Narrate your thought process: “I am going to make a plan before starting this task.”

• Show both what it looks like when the skill is used and what it looks like when it isn’t.

• Share examples of how adults in your life use the skill and why it matters.

Support: Encourage Practice 

After introducing a skill, give children opportunities to practice it:

• During structured lessons or activities.

• During spontaneous, teachable moments that arise naturally in the classroom.

• The combination of planned practice and unexpected moments helps children master the skill.

Reinforce: Positive Feedback and Consequences 

Reinforcement helps children continue using executive skills.

• Notice and describe when a child uses a skill effectively.

• Use positive, natural consequences to show how the skill helps both them and others.

• Praise and encouragement make children more likely to apply the skill in the future.

Reflect: Connect Skills to Outcomes 

Give children time to think about the benefits of using executive skills.

• Discuss how the skills helped them reach personal or classroom goals.

• Frequent reflection reinforces the importance and value of these skills in real life.