A student sits in front of a blank worksheet. The directions have been given, the materials are ready, and the student appears to understand what to do, but nothing happens. It is easy to see this as a motivation problem. In reality, getting started can depend on a long list of brain and body factors, […]
Does your class struggle when the schedule changes unexpectedly? A substitute teacher walks in, the assembly runs long, or PE gets moved to the morning and suddenly several students are dysregulated before the day has even really started. You are not alone. Helping students build flexible thinking is one of the most important and most […]
Five years after COVID-19 turned daily life upside down, many children are still struggling in ways that are hard to name. Teachers see kids who cannot stay on task. OTs work with children who fall apart during transitions. SLPs support students who cannot organize their thoughts well enough to communicate them. Counselors meet with kids […]
Physical activity and executive function in kids are more closely linked than many school-based professionals may realize. Executive functions, which include the ability to focus, hold information in mind, and shift between tasks, develop gradually throughout childhood and play a key role in academic success and lifelong learning. A 2025 narrative review published in the […]
Mazes have been a go-to activity for therapists, teachers, and parents for generations. They look simple, but a lot is happening under the surface when a child picks up a pencil and starts navigating a path. Research supports what occupational therapists have long known: completing mazes on paper builds a wide range of developmental skills. […]
A recent longitudinal study followed children from preschool age into third grade to understand how early executive function skills and parenting behaviors shape later resilience, self-regulation, and behavior. Findings from this research offer practical guidance for educators and pediatric therapists who support young children every day. Learn more about early executive function and parenting. How […]
When students struggle to begin assignments, the issue is often more than reluctance. It can reflect difficulty with task initiation, an executive function skill that allows learners to start a task efficiently and independently. For some students, beginning work is the hardest part of learning. By understanding the barriers to task initiation and using research-based […]
Every teacher has met them: the students who shut down. Arms crossed. Head down. Blank stare at the paper. A quiet “I can’t” or complete silence when you prompt them to start. At first glance, it looks like defiance. But what if that refusal is really a clue? With the right approach, we can decode […]
Teaching kids impulse control is essential for their overall development. One of the best ways to help children work on this skill is through engaging activities that make learning fun. If you’re looking for ways to support impulse control in the classroom or at home, our free impulse control worksheets are a great resource. These […]
Effortful control is a vital skill that helps students manage their emotions, stay focused, and complete tasks, all of which are essential for academic and social success. As educators and occupational therapists, understanding how effortful control relates to sensory processing and executive function can offer new strategies to support children in the classroom. Recent research […]