What Are Executive Functioning Skills?

Planning, focusing, remembering instructions, and adapting to change—these are just a few of the mental skills that fall under executive functioning.

Executive functioning skills are essential for navigating everyday life, especially in school, social situations, and home routines. For children, these skills impact everything from getting ready in the morning to managing big emotions, completing tasks, or coping with unexpected changes.

Some kids may need support building these skills, and that’s where occupational therapy can help.

Core Executive Functioning Skills

There are three main areas of executive functioning:

1. Working Memory

The ability to remember and use information—like following multi-step instructions or recalling what to bring to school.

2. Inhibitory Control

The ability to pause before acting, manage impulses, and resist distractions.

3. Cognitive Flexibility

The ability to switch between tasks, adapt to changes, and think about something in a new way.

Other related skills include:

• Time management
• Emotional regulation
• Task initiation and completion
• Organisation
• Goal setting and problem-solving

Why Executive Functioning Matters for Kids

These skills are like the brain’s “air traffic control system.” Without them, children may find it hard to manage routines, complete tasks, or stay calm when things don’t go as expected.

Challenges with executive functioning can look like:

• Forgetting instructions or skipping steps
• Meltdowns/shutdowns when routines change
• Difficulty starting or finishing tasks
• Trouble following through with homework or chores
• Impulsive behaviour or difficulty waiting
• Struggling to stay focused in class

These are not signs of laziness or defiance—they’re often signs your child’s brain is still learning how to manage and organise information.

How Occupational Therapy Supports Executive Functioning

At Light OT, we help children develop executive functioning skills in a way that’s playful, practical, and meaningful to their lives.

Here’s what that support might look like:

• Visual planning tools and checklists to support memory and routines e.g. visual schedules and timers
• Games and activities that build collaborative play, working memory, and flexible thinking
• Regulation strategies to support focus and emotional control
• Environmental supports, such as decluttered workspaces or movement breaks
• Parent coaching to help build consistency and carry strategies into daily life

Our goal is always to build independence, reduce frustration, and help your child feel confident in everyday situations.

FAQ: Executive Functioning in Children

Does my child need a diagnosis to get support with executive functioning?
No. You don’t need a formal diagnosis—just a concern that your child is finding things harder than they should. We’ll work with you to understand what’s happening and how to help.

Is executive functioning the same as behaviour?
Not quite. Executive functioning impacts behaviour, but it’s not about discipline. It’s about brain development—how a child processes, plans, and follows through.

Can these skills improve over time?
Yes! With the right support, children can build strong executive functioning foundations that help them thrive across settings and over time.

Let’s Build Brains That Work With, Not Against, Your Child

Executive functioning isn’t about being perfect—it’s about having the tools to manage life’s everyday demands with more ease and confidence.

If your child is finding it difficult to focus, remember, plan, or adapt, reach out. Contact Light Occupational Therapy to learn how we can help your child build skills that support their learning, wellbeing, and independence—now and into the future.