Executive Function Skills by Age

Executive function skills are crucial for children’s development, especially for those with ADHD. These skills include working memory, emotional control, attention, problem-solving, planning, organization, and initiation. Parents often wonder what skills are appropriate for their child at a certain age. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the development of executive function skills by age.

Babies (6-12 months)
Babies begin developing executive function skills such as emotional control, working memory, and attention. They learn to recognize familiar faces, show a preference for certain toys, and track objects with their eyes. They also start understanding cause and effect, learning that their actions have an immediate impact on their surroundings.

Toddlers (1-2 years)
Toddlers learn almost everything through play. They start to express preferences, protest appropriately, and learn to communicate their feelings. They also begin assisting with simple self-care activities and can follow simple one- or two-step instructions.

Preschoolers (3-5 years)
Preschoolers develop executive functions related to social interaction. They learn to negotiate, compromise, stand up for themselves, and persuade others to see their viewpoint. They also start learning about the organization, such as understanding that everything has a place.

Elementary Age (Approximately 6-11 years)
Elementary-aged children develop executive functions related to academic work. They use working memory to recall and integrate information into their current knowledge, and they use planning and organization to manage their own time with school-based assignments.

Middle School through High School (Approximately 12-18 years)
During this stage, children develop their critical thinking abilities and ability to manage their time. They learn to understand different perspectives and manage competing priorities. Task monitoring and planning become increasingly important as projects and assignments get longer and more complex.

Beyond 18 years
Even at 18 years, the human brain continues to develop, with the most notable developments happening in the frontal lobe, which is responsible for executive functions.

In conclusion, understanding the development of executive function skills by age can help parents set realistic expectations for their children and provide appropriate support. It’s important to remember that every child is different, and these skills develop at different rates in everyone.