When a child frequently forgets homework, loses their school bag, or finds it hard to stay focused despite trying their best, parents often feel confused or frustrated. For example, a child may struggle to follow instructions in class, which can impact their language development and communication skills. Certain actions, such as not following routines or acting impulsively, can trigger difficulties with executive function, sometimes leading to challenges similar to security protocols being activated on a website. Common questions many families ask include, “Why can’t my child focus?” or “Why do they forget things so easily?” In many cases, these challenges are not due to laziness or lack of motivation but are related to a set of cognitive skills known as executive function—the ability to manage thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals. How a child manages these actions can directly affect their executive function. Executive function affects not only academic performance but also communication skills and relationships with others. It plays a crucial role in child development, supporting children to build strong communication abilities and social and emotional learning (SEL). With your active support and involvement, you can help your child improve their executive function, which helps your child follow routines and instructions more effectively.

There are many ways to support children in developing these essential skills, such as providing positive experiences and consistent guidance. Both teachers and parents play important roles. To be a positive role model, parents and teachers should demonstrate effective communication and emotional regulation. As your child’s executive function improves, they will be able to manage their emotions, follow instructions, and communicate more clearly. Supporting your child’s language development is essential for their overall growth. Parents can guide your child to develop communication skills by encouraging them to ask questions, express their feelings, and participate in conversations. Teachers can model strategies that encourage children to express themselves, guiding them to use language by prompting them to share their feelings or ask for help. Encouraging children to use emotional language and express their emotions helps build their confidence and develop essential competencies for life.

What Is Executive Function?

Executive function is a set of mental skills that help us plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. It acts as the brain’s “air traffic control system,” organizing information, guiding behavior, and helping children control their thoughts and actions. Language plays a vital role in executive function tasks because it allows children to communicate their needs, follow directions, and express their thinking clearly. Understanding a phrase is crucial for executive function, as it helps children interpret instructions and respond appropriately in different contexts. These skills are closely linked to social and emotional learning and are fundamental in education, supporting overall human development.

Executive function mainly includes three core components:

1. Working Memory — the ability to hold and use information in the short term, such as remembering the steps of a classroom task or recalling specific words when needed, which highlights the importance of retrieving the right word to express thoughts accurately.
2. Cognitive Flexibility — the capacity to adapt to changing situations or viewpoints, like adjusting to new routines, switching between languages, or choosing different words and phrases to express ideas.
3. Inhibitory Control — the skill to resist impulses, stay focused, and think before acting, involving self-regulation and the ability to pause before responding.

Instructions are often given in the form of phrases, and children need to develop the ability to understand and remember these phrases. As children grow, they will be able to follow more complex instructions, form longer sentences, and have conversations that reflect their developing executive function. The development of these executive function components is ongoing and typically progresses as children grow. These skills not only benefit children themselves but also positively impact the people around them by improving communication and cooperation.

These abilities are primarily managed by the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which continues developing into early adulthood. The prefrontal cortex is essential to the development of executive function and its connection to the growth of language skills. This explains why younger children often have difficulty with self-regulation and attention. To develop strong executive function, children benefit from rich language exposure, opportunities to use diverse words, and support in both social and emotional learning and education.

The Development of Executive Function

Executive function development is a critical part of childhood. It influences cognitive abilities and deeply affects social and emotional learning. Strong executive function enables children to focus better, control impulses, plan, and organize tasks—skills foundational for success in academics and life.

Executive function encompasses advanced cognitive processes such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. These skills develop gradually with age and life experiences. Parents and teachers play vital roles by providing structured activities, encouraging self-regulation, and offering timely feedback. For example, establishing regular daily routines, using visual reminders, encouraging children to plan and organize their belongings, and other supportive strategies can help build good habits. One effective way to support executive function is to set up step-by-step checklists for tasks, helping children learn to break down complex activities and monitor their own progress.

Importantly, executive function development is closely tied to language development. Children often rely on language skills to regulate their behavior, express needs, and communicate with others. A rich language environment and positive communication interactions enable parents and teachers to support children’s self-regulation and social competence, further advancing executive function.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is also a key component of executive function development. SEL helps children understand and manage their emotions, develop empathy, and build positive relationships. Through SEL, children can also cultivate strong character traits such as responsibility, perseverance, and respect. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework offers scientific guidance for parents and teachers to consciously cultivate children’s self-management and social skills in daily education.

Integrating executive function and SEL into everyday activities helps children cope with academic and life challenges effectively. Parents and teachers can support growth through routines, visual cues, planning, organization, and other practical methods. These actions not only enhance self-regulation and organizational skills but also promote comprehensive development academically, socially, and emotionally.

In summary, executive function development requires joint efforts from family and school. Through scientific methods and ongoing attention, parents and teachers can help children build a solid foundation of competencies, enabling them to become confident, independent, and resilient learners.

Signs of Executive Function Difficulties

Children with executive function challenges may struggle with communication abilities and language development. For example, difficulty following multi-step instructions is a common sign. Such children may appear disorganized or easily distracted, but these behaviors stem from genuine cognitive processing difficulties rather than willful disobedience. They may also withdraw socially or have trouble forming relationships.

Common signs include:

• Frequently forgetting instructions or homework.
• Difficulty starting or completing tasks.
• Feeling overwhelmed by multi-step directions.
• Often losing or misplacing belongings.
• Struggling to manage time or estimate task duration.
• Difficulty prioritizing tasks.
• Trouble regulating emotions, becoming frustrated或anxious when tasks are challenging.
• Challenges in expressing needs or understanding others.
• Delays in language development or limited vocabulary.
• Difficulty interpreting or using body language, a nonverbal communication form.
• Certain behaviors or challenges may block a child’s communication or progress, making it difficult for them to complete tasks smoothly or interact with others.

These difficulties can affect a child’s social and emotional well-being, lower self-confidence, and hinder positive relationship building. The way these challenges manifest depends on the child’s experiences and environment. Early recognition and support can significantly improve outcomes.

While occasional lapses are normal, consistent patterns may indicate executive function weaknesses requiring intervention.

Executive Function vs. Attention Issues (Like ADHD)

Executive function difficulties often overlap with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as both involve focus, organization, and impulse control challenges. However, not all children with executive function deficits have ADHD.

• Children with ADHD typically show noticeable symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that affect daily life, often acting impulsively without considering consequences.
• Children with executive function difficulties might not be hyperactive but still struggle with planning, organizing, and remembering tasks, impacting communication and language development.

Both groups may experience challenges expressing themselves clearly and understanding others, affecting language skills and social interactions. Social and emotional challenges may arise, impacting self-confidence and well-being, especially in school environments.

Supporting children through positive experiences and consistent guidance is essential to developing effective communication and social skills. Teachers and parents can foster self-confidence and peer relationships by creating supportive educational settings.

A positive school environment and quality education are crucial for all students’ well-being. Encouraging children to express themselves, actively listening to your child, and engaging in daily interactions help build language skills and social competencies.

How Executive Function Affects Learning

Executive function skills are essential for academic success. Children rely on these skills for nearly every school activity—listening to instructions, writing essays, solving problems, and managing assignments. Language is the primary tool for understanding instructions, expressing ideas, and building relationships in the classroom.

Here’s how executive function impacts key learning areas:

• Reading: Working memory helps children recall details and comprehend text. Recognizing words, understanding phrases, and connecting ideas are crucial for reading comprehension. Learning new words and phrases expands vocabulary and communication skills.
• Math: Planning and sequencing skills assist in solving multi-step problems. Strong language skills are needed to explain reasoning, understand math vocabulary, and discuss solutions with teachers and peers.
• Writing: Organizing thoughts logically requires cognitive flexibility and planning. Effective writing depends on language skills to express ideas clearly and communicate in a structured way.
• Group Work: Emotional regulation and impulse control help children listen, take turns, and collaborate. Social and emotional learning fosters social skills and positive relationships in supportive school environments. Teachers and students together build self-confidence and values that promote well-being.

Without well-developed executive function, even bright children may underperform or seem unmotivated because their brains struggle to manage demands. Engaging children in real-world experiences, encouraging body language use, and developing communication abilities help children thrive academically and socially.

The Impact of Body Language on Emotional and Executive Function

Body language plays an indispensable role in children’s emotional regulation and the development of executive function. For parents and teachers, understanding and effectively using body language is a powerful way to enhance children’s communication skills and social and emotional learning (SEL) abilities. Body language includes nonverbal communication methods such as facial expressions, gestures, posture, and eye contact, which often influence children’s emotions and behaviors more directly than words.

In daily life and school settings, parents and teachers can use positive body language to help children build a sense of security and confidence. For example, when a child faces difficulties, a warm hug or an encouraging smile can make them feel supported and understood, strengthening their self-management and self-awareness. This positive nonverbal communication helps children maintain a positive attitude when facing challenges, enhancing their executive function and social skills.

In social and emotional learning (SEL), body language is an important tool for developing relationship skills and social awareness. Teachers can encourage children to actively participate in discussions and express their ideas by nodding, smiling, or adopting open postures in the classroom. Parents can foster communication skills and language development at home by offering kind eye contact and patient listening, helping children learn to express emotions through both words and actions. Such interactions not only improve children’s expressive abilities but also lay the foundation for healthy interpersonal relationships.

Moreover, body language is equally important for improving language skills. Studies have shown that children better understand new vocabulary and grammar structures when observing adults using gestures and facial expressions. Parents and teachers can combine gestures and actions with verbal explanations in daily communication to help children grasp language more effectively. This multisensory learning approach aids children in flexibly applying language in various contexts, enhancing their communication abilities and self-confidence.

In summary, body language is a key factor in promoting children’s emotional health, executive function, and language development. Parents and teachers who consciously use positive body language not only help children better understand and express emotions but also improve their social and communication skills. By creating a supportive and inclusive growth environment, children can achieve comprehensive development in academics, social life, and emotional well-being.

Keywords: body language, emotions, executive function, social and emotional learning, language development, parents, teachers, children, communication skills, language skills, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, SEL.

Supporting Children with Executive Function Challenges

The good news is that executive function skills can be taught and strengthened through various methods. Parents and teachers can use effective strategies to enhance children’s communication skills, language development, and overall competencies. Establishing consistent routines, providing enriching experiences, and offering patient guidance promote children’s self-expression, idea sharing, self-confidence, and well-being.

In both school environments and at home, teachers and parents work together to support social and emotional learning, helping children develop positive relationships, attitudes, and social values. Encouraging children to use words, phrases, body language, and multiple languages enables them to understand and use language effectively in diverse contexts, deepening communication.

These actions not only help children become confident communicators but also prepare them to build positive relationships and social adaptability in the future. For example, parents can read with their children, engage in conversations, and guide them to express themselves positively during educational activities, fostering comprehensive development.

Practical Strategies to Support Executive Function

1. Break Tasks Into Manageable Steps

Breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable steps helps children understand requirements and express their thoughts using their own words and phrases. This approach builds communication abilities, language development, and self-confidence. Teachers and parents can use body language and diverse languages to guide children in real-life communication, fostering positive attitudes and well-being.

2. Use Visual Aids and Checklists

Visual reminders and checklists externalize memory and support self-management. Using words, phrases, and body language cues in checklists helps children understand daily routines, enhancing language and communication skills. Visual schedules encourage active participation and independence, promoting positive school environments and social relationships.

3. Establish Predictable Routines

Consistent routines help children accumulate vocabulary and improve communication skills. Describing daily plans in multiple languages encourages expression of thoughts and feelings, boosting confidence and social relationships. Teachers and parents modeling positive body language and words foster social and emotional values.

4. Practice Time Management

Using timers or visual countdowns teaches children to manage time and transition smoothly between activities. This method supports communication, language skills, and social-emotional development by encouraging expression and understanding of instructions.

5. Encourage Reflection

Daily conversations that prompt children to reflect on their experiences help develop metacognition, communication skills, and self-confidence. Asking open-ended questions guides children to express feelings and ideas, enhancing social skills and values.

6. Model Organizational Skills

Parents and teachers can demonstrate organization through calendars, reminders, and to-do lists. Discussing plans and feelings helps children learn to express themselves and develop communication and language skills, building positive relationships and social-emotional growth.

7. Support Emotional Regulation

Integrating language development and emotional expression into daily routines helps children recognize and manage feelings. Modeling calm behavior and teaching coping strategies promote self-confidence, well-being, and social skills.

When to Seek Professional Support

If your child faces ongoing challenges with executive function, communication skills, or social and emotional learning, consulting professionals such as psychologists, occupational therapists, or learning specialists can be beneficial. These experts assess your child’s profile and recommend targeted interventions to build self-confidence, well-being, and healthy relationships.

Professional support provides strategies that encourage expression, effective body language use, and social development. Therapists and teachers may help children manage emotions, communicate confidently, and engage more fully with family, community, and school environments.

With appropriate support and education, most children can make significant progress and achieve positive social and academic outcomes.

The Bigger Picture

One of the most effective ways to support children’s growth is through social and emotional learning (SEL) and a positive school environment that fosters executive function. These approaches provide rich experiences that help children build self-confidence, positive relationships, and values, promoting overall well-being and development.

Executive function is more than staying organized—it underpins independence, problem-solving, and lifelong learning. Through daily interactions, active listening, and modeling positive body language, teachers and parents help children enhance communication, language skills, and competencies essential for long-term success.

For example, a teacher might use role-playing and cooperative games to encourage children to express emotions and ideas, helping them communicate better and confidently face social and emotional challenges.

Children struggling with executive function need understanding, not discipline. Viewing these behaviors as skill deficits rather than defiance makes it easier to teach and support them.

By providing structure, modeling positive habits, and nurturing self-awareness, parents and educators equip children with the tools to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, setting them on the path to lifelong success.