Executive Functions

What are Executive Functions?

The term ‘executive functions’ refers to a set of mental processes that allow us to plan, organize, regulate, and monitor our behavior to achieve specific goals. They are involved in a wide range of complex cognitive activities and play a key role in regulating thought, emotions, and behavior. They include processes such as attention, planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, working memoryMemory is a fundamental cognitive function that consists in ... More, and action monitoring. The most widely accepted theoretical model of executive functions identifies three core dimensions from which all other skills derive:

• Working memory. The ability to hold information in mind and use it
• Inhibitory control. The ability to master thoughts and impulses to resist distractions and habits, pause, and think before acting
• Cognitive flexibility. The ability to change and adapt to changing demands and priorities required by the context

Executive functions help us make thoughtful decisions, adapt to new situations, resist distractions, and achieve set goals. This glossary entry will explore their brain localization, the tasks in which they are used, their maturation process, and finally, strategies to train them in children and adolescents.

Where They Are Located in Our Brain

Executive functions involve a network of interconnected brain areas. The main areas involved include the dorsolateral prefrontal cortexThe prefrontal cortex plays a fundamental role in numerous p... More, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and parietal lobe. These regions work together to coordinate executive functions, with the prefrontal cortex playing a crucial role in controlling attention, planning, and regulating behavior.

In Which Tasks We Use Them

Executive functions are involved in many aspects of our daily life. They are essential for solving complex problems, learningIl termine apprendimento - con i sinonimi imparare, assimila... More, decision-making, time management, emotional and behavioral self-control, attention regulation, and goal attainment. For example, when planning a series of actions to complete a project, we use executive functions to organize tasks, track time, and stay focused on the task.

When Executive Functions Mature

Executive functions are present from birth but undergo a process of development and maturation throughout childhood and adolescenceWhat is meant by adolescence? Adolescence is understood as t... More. The prefrontal cortex, the key area involved in executive functions, continues to develop into adulthood. During childhood, executive functions are still developing and may be limited in effectiveness. As children grow, experience and training can contribute to their gradual maturation.

How to Train Executive Functions in Children and Adolescents

Training executive functions in children and adolescents can be personalized according to their age group. Below are some examples of specific exercises that can be used to develop executive functions at different stages of growth.

Preschool Children (3-5 years)

• “Bubu Setete” is a traditional game in which the child or adult hides and then suddenly appears from behind a blanket or hands held in front of the face. Games like this help train working memory as the child must remember who is hiding and require self-control skills while waiting for the adult to reveal themselves.
• Another activity that can exercise working memory is hiding toys and encouraging the child to find them. For example, hiding a toy under a blanket and asking the child to find it requires remembering the object and mentally following the adult’s movements.
• Imitation games are very popular among children, as they love to mimic adults. When imitating, they must carefully observe actions, wait their turn, and remember what the adult did. In this way, they exercise working memory and self-control. As children’s skills improve, adults can also demonstrate how to play with toys, such as making a toy horse gallop or rocking a doll.
• Finally, building games, which involve creating models with blocks or bricks following detailed instructions, are an effective way to develop planning, organization, and working memory in children.

School-Age Children (6-12 years)

• Puzzles. Using puzzles like jigsaws, mazes, or crosswords helps improve logical reasoning, planning, and problem-solving. Puzzles of different difficulty levels can be chosen according to the child’s age and abilities.
• Strategic board games. Games like chess, snakes and ladders, Monopoly, or Risk require strategic planning, attention, and cognitive flexibility. These games stimulate critical thinkingWhat happens in our mind when we “think critically”? Beh... More and encourage the child to consider different options and consequences.

Adolescents (13-18 years)

• Personal planner. Adolescents can be encouraged to use a planner to organize tasks, commitments, and daily activities. This helps develop planning, time management, and cognitive flexibility.
• Active study strategies. Adolescents can learn to use active study strategies such as creating concept maps or elaborative rehearsal. These strategies involve planning, organizing information, and working memory.
• Working memory training. Working memory exercises may include repeating sequences of numbers or letters, performing complex mental arithmetic, or memorizing word lists. These exercises help improve working memory and the ability to hold and manipulate information.
• Self-awarenessIl termine autoconsapevolezza si riferisce primariamente all... More and meditationThere are many ways to define meditation, but perhaps the si... More. Practices such as mindfulness and meditation can help adolescents develop self-control, awareness, and emotional regulation. These practices support cognitive flexibility and stressWhat is stress? From a clinical perspective, stress is a phy... More management.
• Computer-based cognitive training. There are cognitive training programs online or on mobile devices offering exercises specifically designed to enhance executive functions. These programs may involve tasks requiring selective attention, working memory, planning, and cognitive flexibility.

It is important to adapt exercises to the individual abilities and needs of children and adolescents. Adults, such as parents or teachers, can play an active role in providing a stimulating environment and supporting the development of executive functions through structured activities and targeted attention.

Click here to download the EduKit “The Science of Education for Peace“, written by Patrizio Paoletti and Adele Diamond, a world-leading researcher in Executive Functions.