What is Executive Function? (a quick version)

Parents and teachers,

This is Seth with SethPerler.com, and in this video, I’m going to give you the quick three-minute version of what executive function is and the key things you need to know about it.

First of all, if you have a student or child who is struggling in school, there’s a good chance they’re struggling with executive function.

Typically, these are students who have a lot of late work, missing assignments, incomplete work, and difficulty staying on top of their responsibilities. They often struggle to navigate school successfully, and it can feel like the wheels are coming off.

So what’s actually happening?

The brain is still developing. Brain development occurs from the back toward the front, and the prefrontal cortex—the front part of the brain—is one of the last areas to fully develop.

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for helping us execute tasks.

For some people, this area develops particularly well. They tend to be highly structured, organized, systems-oriented, and effective at getting things done.

The tasks we’re most concerned about with students include:

• Completing homework

• Studying

• Managing responsibilities

• Doing chores

• Following through on commitments

To successfully execute these tasks, students need executive function skills such as:

• Planning

• Organizing

• Managing time

• Prioritizing

• Self-starting

• Following through

These are just some of the many components of executive function.

When students struggle with these skills, they struggle with executive functioning.

So how do we help?

First, we help students develop stronger executive function skills and better systems for managing their responsibilities.

Second—and this is incredibly important—we help them deal with the number one challenge related to executive function:

Resistance.

Resistance sounds like:

• “I don’t want to.”

• “I don’t feel like it.”

• “I’ll do it later.”

• “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

• “This is stupid.”

• “Why do I have to do this?”

The nervous system resists. We don’t feel like doing something. It feels overwhelming, boring, difficult, threatening, or simply unpleasant.

The problem is that if we want our kids to build a great future, they must learn how to work through that resistance.

We want them to have opportunities, choices, freedom, and possibilities in life.

To get those things, they need to be able to execute on important tasks, accomplish goals, and follow through on commitments.

That means resistance must be addressed in a positive and productive way.

The biggest challenge for many students isn’t intelligence. It’s not capability.

It’s learning how to do what needs to be done even when they don’t feel like doing it.

At the same time, another major problem occurs.

These students are often shamed.

They’re frequently told things like:

• “You’re lazy.”

• “You’re unmotivated.”

• “You’re not trying hard enough.”

• “You just don’t care.”

Teachers, parents, and other adults sometimes imply that the problem is simply a matter of willpower.

This is one of the most important points I want to make in this video:

Executive function challenges are not simply a matter of being willful.

That explanation is often shallow, inaccurate, and uninformed.

Now, I don’t say that to criticize adults. Many of us grew up hearing those same messages, so it’s understandable that we repeat them.

But those explanations fail to take brain development into account.

This is fundamentally about development.

It’s not about shaming a child.

It’s not about punishing a student until they magically start doing what they’re supposed to do.

If we truly want to empower young people to build great lives now and in the future, we need to understand what’s happening with executive function.

We need to educate them compassionately, support them appropriately, and teach them the skills they need to succeed.

I hope this video has been helpful.

Again, my name is Seth Perler. I send out a free blog every week to help families understand how to support children who struggle with school and executive function.

Please subscribe to my blog or YouTube channel if you’d like more resources.

And let me know in the YouTube comments:

Does this resonate with you? What are your thoughts about executive function?

Please share this video with someone who might benefit from it.

I hope you have a fantastic day, and I’ll see you soon.