მიმდინარეობს გვერდის განახლება

Resources

მშობლებისთვის, პროფესიონალებისთვის

Executive Function Development Activities for Children Aged 5-7

მშობლებისთვის, პროფესიონალებისთვის

Executive Function Development Activities for Children Aged 5-7

Games that practice executive function and self-regulation skills support the use of these skills in various ways. Between ages 5 and 7, children enjoy games with rules at varying levels of interest and ability. Since these skills develop best with consistent challenges, choosing games that require effort without being too difficult is crucial for each child. When children learn the rules of a game, aim to reduce adult involvement, encouraging them to remember and follow the rules independently. Playing by these rules lets children organize and manage the game, so be prepared with techniques to handle any conflicts, like coin flips or drawing lots.

Card and Board Games

• Memory Games: Simple memory games, such as “Concentration,” are great for training working memory. The goal is to remember the location of selected cards and find matching pairs. For added complexity, introduce movement tracking to test both memory and monitoring skills.
• Matching Games: Games where children match cards by shape or number help with cognitive flexibility.
• Strategy Games: Board games requiring strategy, such as dominos or Chinese checkers, build working memory, self-control, and flexible thinking as children plan moves, consider rules, and adapt to opponents’ moves.
Physical Activity Games
• Freeze Dance: Physical games requiring attention and self-control, like Freeze Dance, help children develop focus and self-restraint.
• Observation Games: Activities where children track others’ movements challenge working memory.
• Selective Response Games: Games like “Magic Word” involve waiting for a cue to act, promoting self-control and patience.
• Ball Games: Games with fast-moving balls, like “Four Square,” require constant monitoring, quick decision-making, and self-regulation.
• Organized Sports: Structured physical activities, like soccer, support coordination, attention development, and self-control through aerobic exercise.
Movement and Song Games
• Songs with Repeated Phrases: Songs that add new lines or movements challenge working memory.
• Memory Songs: Games like preparing for a picnic or packing a suitcase alphabetically build memory.
• Complex Clapping Rhythms: Clapping games that involve rhythm and patterning practice working memory, self-control, and flexible thinking.
Quiet Activities That Require Strategy and Reflection
• Puzzles and Brain Teasers: Puzzles, maze books, and simple word search games enhance attention, working memory, and problem-solving skills.
• Logical Thinking Games: Games requiring children to apply specific rules to solve puzzles challenge memory and flexible thinking.
• Guessing Games: Popular guessing games require players to recall past responses and think flexibly as they develop theories.

These activities are based on the publication from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.

Related Resources

How to Avoid Unwanted Contact – Advice for Parents and Caregivers

The digital environment and the opportunities it provides play an increasingly crucial role in children’s lives. Online connections and relationships are one way for children to make friends. However, there are visible and invisible risks associated with these connections that can endanger children’s safety. Unwanted contact is any type of online communication that is uncomfortable, […]

Awareness of Cyberbullying Risks and Supporting Your Child – Advice for Parents and Caregivers

Cyberbullying involves using digital technology to demean, shame, harass, intimidate, or pressure a child. It can take various forms, such as sending insulting messages, spreading rumors, or sharing humiliating images or videos through social media, messaging platforms, gaming sites, or mobile phones. Creating fake accounts under someone else’s name to deceive or belittle them is […]

Banter or Bullying – Where is the Line?

The widespread use of social media has introduced new terms. What is banter? This English word refers to lighthearted, harmless jokes shared between friends, whether it’s a verbal exchange or a meme shared in a group chat. However, sometimes banter can cross friendly boundaries and turn into bullying without us even realizing it. In the […]

Science on Early Brain Development: Foundational Insights for a Sustainable Society

Scientific understanding of early brain development reveals why children’s development, especially from birth to age five, forms the foundation for a stable and thriving society. Research on early childhood development not only enhances policy and practices for children’s growth but also encourages new approaches and perspectives in decision-making. Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child […]

Executive Function Activities for Children 18 to 36 Months

At this stage of development, children are rapidly expanding their language skills. Language plays an essential role in developing executive function and self-regulation (EF/SR) by helping children label thoughts, actions, and plans. Bilingualism is also associated with improved EF/SR, so parents fluent in more than one language should use these languages in interactions with their […]

Executive Function Activities for Children Ages 3-5

During the ages of 3 to 5, children experience rapid growth in executive function and self-regulation skills. Activities should be adjusted according to each child’s abilities. Younger children need more guidance with rules and structure, while older children may demonstrate more independence. The goal is to gradually decrease adult guidance, allowing children to develop autonomy. […]

Executive Function Development Activities for Children Aged 5-7

Games that practice executive function and self-regulation skills support the use of these skills in various ways. Between ages 5 and 7, children enjoy games with rules at varying levels of interest and ability. Since these skills develop best with consistent challenges, choosing games that require effort without being too difficult is crucial for each […]

Executive Function Development Activities for Children Aged 7-12

The activities below help school-aged children develop their brain’s executive function and self-regulation skills. Consistently increasing the complexity of games and activities is essential for this age group. Board Games • Card Games: Games where children must track the cards in play enhance working memory, planning, and strategy development, boosting cognitive flexibility. For younger children, […]

Executive Function Activities for Children Ages 18 to 36 Months

At this developmental stage—ages 18 to 36 months—children are rapidly expanding their language skills. Language plays a vital role in developing executive function and self-regulation (EF/SR), as it helps children recognize, reflect on, and plan their actions. It also allows children to understand and follow more complex rules, including those governing behavior and play. Bilingualism […]