WHY SES: Executive Functioning
“MOM! Where are my CLEATS?” “I don’t know why I didn’t get the lawn cut, Dad.” “Sorry for being out of dress code. I ran out of normal socks."
As parents and educators, we can all fill in our own blanks of head-scratching moments from our children, at any age. “Executive Functioning” is a buzzword that is gaining a lot of traction in educational circles, but what exactly is it, and how do we get it, both at home and in the classroom? Let’s get to it, with a little help from Lower School Counselor Kristi Schofield and Director of Learning Support Services Carolyn DePalma.
Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive processes that are crucial for planning, problem-solving, time management, organization, emotional regulation and goal-directed behavior. Teaching executive functioning is important because it lays the foundation for academic success, emotional well-being and the ability to navigate the challenges of daily life. It’s never too early to start with the basics, but middle school is an incredibly important time to solidify the foundation for future success. In the Middle School, “we are looking for ways to enhance and target the development of executive functioning skills by helping students to chunk assignments and create plans for long-term assignments. We are also developing a more targeted curriculum during our Study Hall and Advisory time to help students develop these skills," says Jason Dowdy.
One of the primary reasons teaching executive functioning is so important is its influence on academic achievement. Children, in particular, need strong executive functioning skills to thrive in a school environment. Without these abilities, students may struggle to keep up with their peers, leading to frustration, low self-esteem and academic underachievement. While many of these skills are already incorporated into daily classroom activities, the Lower School is currently looking at specific programming that will challenge students to identify and hone these skills. By explicitly teaching and reinforcing executive functioning skills, our faculty can help students become more self-sufficient learners, improving their performance in the classroom and fostering a sense of accomplishment.
As parents and educators, we can all fill in our own blanks of head-scratching moments from our children, at any age. “Executive Functioning” is a buzzword that is gaining a lot of traction in educational circles, but what exactly is it, and how do we get it, both at home and in the classroom? Let’s get to it, with a little help from Lower School Counselor Kristi Schofield and Director of Learning Support Services Carolyn DePalma.
Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive processes that are crucial for planning, problem-solving, time management, organization, emotional regulation and goal-directed behavior. Teaching executive functioning is important because it lays the foundation for academic success, emotional well-being and the ability to navigate the challenges of daily life. It’s never too early to start with the basics, but middle school is an incredibly important time to solidify the foundation for future success. In the Middle School, “we are looking for ways to enhance and target the development of executive functioning skills by helping students to chunk assignments and create plans for long-term assignments. We are also developing a more targeted curriculum during our Study Hall and Advisory time to help students develop these skills," says Jason Dowdy.
One of the primary reasons teaching executive functioning is so important is its influence on academic achievement. Children, in particular, need strong executive functioning skills to thrive in a school environment. Without these abilities, students may struggle to keep up with their peers, leading to frustration, low self-esteem and academic underachievement. While many of these skills are already incorporated into daily classroom activities, the Lower School is currently looking at specific programming that will challenge students to identify and hone these skills. By explicitly teaching and reinforcing executive functioning skills, our faculty can help students become more self-sufficient learners, improving their performance in the classroom and fostering a sense of accomplishment.
Moreover, executive functioning skills are not static, and the professionals in the Academic Learning Lab are working with teachers to help them stay a few steps ahead of their students. This means that incorporating executive functioning skills as part of daily classroom activity is not just about providing children with a set of tools for immediate success but also about giving them the capacity to continue growing throughout their lives.
So, before you lose your parental cool over a lost laptop or a book left behind, remember that teaching executive functioning is crucial for helping individuals navigate the complexities of modern life. By fostering executive functioning in children and adults, we equip them with the tools they need to set goals, solve problems, manage time effectively and build strong, healthy relationships. Whether in the classroom, at home or in the workplace, executive functioning is an essential part of becoming a competent, self-sufficient and resilient individual.
Stuart
Future March Java Fridays:
Friday, March 28, 2025 - MS/US Student Activities Directors
So, before you lose your parental cool over a lost laptop or a book left behind, remember that teaching executive functioning is crucial for helping individuals navigate the complexities of modern life. By fostering executive functioning in children and adults, we equip them with the tools they need to set goals, solve problems, manage time effectively and build strong, healthy relationships. Whether in the classroom, at home or in the workplace, executive functioning is an essential part of becoming a competent, self-sufficient and resilient individual.
Stuart
Future March Java Fridays:
Friday, March 28, 2025 - MS/US Student Activities Directors
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