⭐ For iBis Learning Families

Understanding Executive Function Skills

These are the skills that help children plan, focus, adapt, and manage their behavior, and they can be practiced at home every day.

The Five Skills
What iBis Focuses On

Tap any skill to see what it looks like at your child's age and get simple ways to build it at home.

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Planning & Organization
Getting ready before jumping in
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What this skill is

Planning and organization means being able to think through what needs to happen before diving into a task, and keeping track of the steps along the way. For young children, this is still developing, and that's completely normal.

You might notice your child
  • Starting tasks without any preparation (launching before thinking)
  • Having trouble knowing what comes first, next, and last
  • Struggling to gather what they need before an activity
  • Getting frustrated when they realize they're missing something mid-task
Simple ways to practice at home
1
Use a visual schedule. Draw or print a simple picture-based schedule for the morning or evening routine. Let your child check things off as they go.
2
Break big tasks into steps. Before starting a project, ask your child to name the first three things they'll need. Repeat this habit consistently.
3
"Ready check" before leaving. Create a short pre-departure checklist your child runs through before school. Backpack? Snack? Shoes? The habit builds planning instincts.
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Working Memory
Holding information while using it
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What this skill is

Working memory is your child's mental workspace, the ability to hold information in mind while doing something with it. It's what lets a child follow a 3-step direction, or remember the beginning of a sentence while finishing it.

You might notice your child
  • Forgetting what they were doing mid-task
  • Needing instructions repeated multiple times
  • Losing their place while reading aloud
  • Struggling to recall what just happened in a story or conversation
Simple ways to practice at home
1
Give two-step directions intentionally. Instead of always repeating, give a direction and pause. Build up to three steps over time as your child succeeds.
2
Play "Simon Says" and memory card games. These build the ability to hold and act on multiple pieces of information, and children don't experience them as exercises.
3
Retell stories after reading. Ask your child to retell what happened using their own words. This strengthens the muscle of holding and organizing information.
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Cognitive Flexibility
Adapting when things change
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What this skill is

Cognitive flexibility is the ability to shift gears, to adjust when plans change, try a different approach when the first one isn't working, or see a situation from someone else's point of view. It's often called "flexible thinking."

You might notice your child
  • Having a strong meltdown when a plan or routine changes unexpectedly
  • Getting stuck on one way of doing things and refusing alternatives
  • Struggling to switch activities, even when warned in advance
  • Finding it hard to understand why others do things differently
Simple ways to practice at home
1
Give advance warnings before transitions. "In 5 minutes we'll leave the park." This gives the brain time to shift, rather than being surprised.
2
Play "what if" games. "What if we couldn't take the usual road to school?" These low-stakes scenarios build mental flexibility safely.
3
Introduce small planned changes. Occasionally vary routines slightly on purpose, a different route, a different lunchbox item. Talk about it as a mini-adventure.
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Inhibitory Control & Self-Regulation
Pausing before acting or reacting
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What this skill is

Inhibitory control is the ability to pause, think, and choose a response rather than acting on the first impulse. Self-regulation includes managing emotions and physical energy in different situations. Both take years to develop.

You might notice your child
  • Acting impulsively and having trouble waiting their turn
  • Interrupting conversations or blurting out answers
  • Escalating quickly when frustrated or disappointed
  • Having a hard time slowing down or stopping a preferred activity
Simple ways to practice at home
1
Practice "stop and breathe" as a family. When you're frustrated, say aloud, "I need a moment." Model the behavior you want to see.
2
Use games that require waiting. Board games, card games, and taking-turns activities all build the wait-and-respond pattern in a fun context.
3
Create a "calm down" spot. A designated corner with calming items gives children a concrete place to regulate, not as punishment, but as a skill.
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Goal Setting & Reflection
Knowing where you're headed and looking back
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What this skill is

Goal setting is the ability to identify what you want to achieve and make a plan to get there. Reflection means looking back at what you did and thinking about what worked or what you'd do differently. Together, they build the foundation for self-directed learning.

You might notice your child
  • Giving up quickly when a task is hard
  • Not connecting effort to outcomes ("I'm just bad at this")
  • Moving to the next thing without pausing to think about what just happened
  • Having trouble setting a small intention before starting something
Simple ways to practice at home
1
Set a "today's goal" at breakfast. Ask your child one thing they want to do or try today. Check back at dinner. This builds the habit of forward intention.
2
Do a short daily debrief. "What was one good thing? One hard thing? What would you do differently?" Three questions, kept conversational.
3
Celebrate effort, not just outcome. "I saw you try that three different ways, that's exactly what learning looks like."
Find Your Situation
What Are You Noticing at Home?

Pick the situation that sounds most like your child. You'll get a clear explanation of which skill is involved, plus four strategies to try this week.

Choose what sounds most familiar: