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Emotional Regulation, Executive Function and ADHD Symptoms

Sometimes with ADHD symptoms it can be difficult to determine exactly what is going on in younger children. This can make it hard to create effective strategies in the classroom or at home. It is important to take a closer look at the all the various aspects of a student's development including emotional regulation, executive function and ADHD.

Sometimes with ADHD symptoms it can be difficult to determine exactly what is going on in younger children. This can make it hard to create effective strategies in the classroom or at home. It is important to take a closer look at the all the various aspects of a student’s development including emotional regulation, executive function and ADHD.

Research on Emotional Regulation, Executive Function and ADHD

Researchers investigated how the role of individual differences in executive function and emotion regulation were associated with inattention and hyperactivity symptoms of ADHD.  Using parent/teacher reports and the child’s task performance, they studied the emotional regulation, executive function and ADHD symptoms in 249 preschool children with at-risk or clinically elevated levels of externalizing behavior problems.

Results of the Research

Following regression analyses of the data exploring the association between executive function and emotional regulation (as reported by parents/teachers and evaluation of children’s task performance) and hyperactivity and inattention, the results indicated:

  • greater levels of parent/teacher-reported executive function problems and decreased executive function performance were associated with greater inattention in the children.
  • better emotional regulation skills were associated with better attention levels in children.
  • increased hyperactivity was associated with greater levels of parent/teacher-reported executive function problems and worse parent/teacher-reported emotional regulation skills in children.

The researchers concluded that underlying deficits in executive functions and emotional regulation do relate to ADHD symptoms in preschool children.

Reference: Landis, T. D., Garcia, A. M., Hart, K. C., & Graziano, P. A. (2020). Differentiating Symptoms of ADHD in Preschoolers: The Role of Emotion Regulation and Executive Function. Journal of Attention Disorders, 1087054719896858.

Resource to Help Preschool Children with Emotional Regulation

The Adventure Skill Self-Regulation Flash Cards are printable 11″ x 8.5” cards in PDF format, with colorful images on the front and easy-to-follow directions on the back.

They offer child-friendly activities that support well-being, physical development and enhance social-emotional learning. The 16 Adventure Skill Self-Regulation Flash Cards are all of the kid-friendly health and self-regulation techniques taught and used in the yoga adventures

Use them at home and at school to:

  • encourage physical activity
  • take a brain break
  • Teach/Reinforce the use of the Scooter & Me Adventure Skills
  • Manage stress and enhance well-being, focus, and learning
  • Develop impulse control, thoughtful behavior, and emotional resilience

The activities are a combination of creative movement, yoga, Brain Gym(R), and educational research to optimize physical and cognitive development.

Sometimes with ADHD symptoms it can be difficult to determine exactly what is going on in younger children. This can make it hard to create effective strategies in the classroom or at home. It is important to take a closer look at the all the various aspects of a student's development including emotional regulation, executive function and ADHD.

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