Improving Executive Functioning through Play!
January Newsletter from the Elementary School Counseling Department
Did you know that family game night can increase executive functioning for kids? Kids with strong executive functioning skills feel more successful at school, are able to retain information, focus, demonstrate impulse control and manage a change in routine or new experiences in a healthy way. The good news is, we can help enhance our kids’ executive functioning skills through games they will enjoy playing (and you will too!)
Here are just a few of the ideas that are suggested on a variety of websites (cited below). Some require board games (that you likely already have in the closet) and others don’t require them at all.
Things like jigsaw puzzles, memory games or Simon are all classics that you may remember as a kid. Another simple game is the “Tray Game” where you grab random household items and put them on a tray or on the table. Give your kids 30 seconds to memorize what’s there, then have them close their eyes while you remove one of the items. Their job is to name what you remove! This can be modified for younger children (use fewer items) or increase the difficulty with more items to remember.
Visit these sites for more ideas to help your child develop executive functioning skills that will help them persevere through challenging work, retain knowledge in their reading and math work, improve impulse control, and have fun at the same time!
www.hesextrodinary.com/workingmemory
https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/family-games-that-improve-executive-functioning/
For more on parenting topics such as this, please save the date for our three Parent Workshops led by elementary school counselors! See your school newsletter for more information and to sign up!
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