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.