Mastery of “executive function” skills gives us the ability to carry out purposeful, goal-directed activities and achieve social, academic and professional success. These important interrelated skills begin to develop in early childhood and mature over time. At their core, they entail self-regulation, sequencing of behavior, flexibility, response inhibition, planning and organization of behavior, which are fostered by the abilities to initiate, shift, inhibit, sustain, plan, organize and strategize.
Failure to fully develop executive function skills can lead to problems in school, relationships and life. In fact, many Nebraska employers say they find significant gaps in executive function skills in today’s workforce.