How to Help Children Improve Executive Functioning Executive functions are a popular “buzz word” right now and with good reason. In a nutshell, executive functions include the following skills: inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, reasoning, problem-solving and planning. These super-important skills can be improved with training which is good news since they are necessary […]
How to Teach Organizational Skills to High School Students Do you work with older students who struggle with organizational and time management skills for large assignments or projects? Many students with ADHD can have a difficult time managing assignments, taking notes, and staying on task. These skills can be taught to help students be independent […]
Spring Fine Motor and Executive Function Skills Freebie Are you in search of no-prep, Springtime activities to encourage fine motor and executive function skills? Well, search no more! Here is a three-page FREE sample download from the Spring Skill Builders packet, created by Thia Triggs, school-based Occupational Therapist. This Spring fine motor and executive […]
Fundamental Motor Skills, Executive Function Skills, and Reading Learning and Individual Differences published research on the association between fundamental motor skills, executive function skills, and reading. The study included 145 socioeconomically disadvantaged kindergarteners of diverse ethnicity. Each participant was assessed with the following: The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Preschool Version to measure executive function skills, PE Metrics™ […]
Executive Functions, Motor Abilities and Daily Functioning in Children The Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools and Early Intervention published research on the contribution of executive functions beyond motor ability to the participation in daily life activities of children. The participants included 22 children (5–6 years old) who received occupational therapy services and 22 typically developing peers […]
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport published research on 92, three to five year old children to establish a link between early visual-motor integration skills and executive function and a link between early object manipulation skills and social behaviors in the classroom during the preschool years. Each participant was evaluated for visual-motor integration skills, object manipulation skills, […]
The Journal of Attention Disorders published a meta-analysis on the possible beneficial effects of exercise in alleviating ADHD functional outcomes in children. After searching various databases, 10 studies for a total of 300 participants on the effects of physical exercise on motor skills and executive functions in children with ADHD were included. The analysis revealed the […]
I received this question from a reader and thought it would be beneficial to post a Q&A for everyone to read. Question: I am looking for free worksheets or handouts for memory, problem solving, decision making, and planning. Do you have any of these? Answer: Sure, we have some free worksheets about these topics. […]
During therapy sessions, we frequently break down activities into smaller parts or chunks to make it easier for children to learn new motor or life skills. As the child progresses with those individual parts of the skill, the child then practices the entire activity as a whole. Sometimes this is done in an isolated environment […]
Today’s post is by a guest blogger, Paige Hays, OTR. She is an occupational therapist who provides in-home, pediatric occupational therapy services in the south metro area of the Twin Cities, MN through Paige Hays, Therapy Services, LLC. She is a mother of 2 girls, avid DIYer, and a highly skilled and experienced OT. She specializes in […]