Our Specialty Focus

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What are Executive Function Skills? 

Executive function skills are mental abilities that help children plan, focus, remember things, and control their impulses. For preschoolers, these skills are still developing, but they are essential for daily activities and learning. 

Here’s a simple breakdown: 

● Planning: This helps kids figure out what to do and how to do it. For example, deciding to clean up their toys after playing. 

● Focus: It’s about paying attention and staying on task. A preschooler might focus on coloring or listening to a story.

● Memory: This helps children remember things, like what’s in their backpack or the steps in a game. 

● Self-Control: This is when kids learn to manage their emotions and behavior. For instance, waiting for their turn in a game instead of grabbing toys right away. 

These skills help preschoolers succeed in everyday tasks and build a foundation for learning in school. 

Why is executive function important? 

Executive functions are particularly important because they’re critical to how a person functions in their daily life. On a typical day people: 

● Analyze information 

● Make plans 

● Manage their behavior 

● Manage their time 

● Pay attention 

● Regulate their emotions 

● Remember details 

● Stay organized 

These skills are needed for many different areas of life, whether it’s school, work, or relationships. 

Conditions like ADHD and dementia can cause problems with executive function. On a smaller scale, if the skills associated with executive function were never introduced or developed, it could also lead to a few deficits. Instead of exhibiting mental flexibility and perseverance, one might experience anxiety when their routines are disrupted. Executive function difficulties might also lead to losing items, chronic lateness, difficulty multitasking, and struggles with controlling impulsive behaviors.  Executive functioning skills are like a muscle, and you can strengthen them over time. To help young children transition into flexible, organized, successful adults, it’s necessary to begin teaching executive function as early as possible.

At RP, we intend to gently guide our students in the art of polite manners and good etiquette. This means more than just “please” and “thank you.” This also entails holding the door for our peers, or saying, “excuse me,” when bumping into someone. Good manners sets individuals apart and teaches children to think outside of themselves. It also teaches courtesy to those around them. 

Etiquette is another essential skill that RP implements. By teaching our students proper etiquette, such as sitting while eating, not speaking while chewing, shaking hands when greeting someone new, and greeting one another with a friendly, “hello,” we demonstrate the importance of making one another feel welcome and comfortable. 

When we use etiquette, we develop important skills such as hospitality and self confidence. 

Treating one another with respect is incredibly important. Each individual on the planet deserves respect and love. At RP, our intention is to teach young children that by respecting those around you, you can also gain not only respect, but trust, from others.