Develop executive function and self-regulation to build lifelong learners.
This session will focus on developing self-regulation and executive functioning which is consistently linked to successful learning.
· Executive function includes the child’s ability to:
• hold information in mind
• focus their attention
• think flexibly
• inhibit impulsive behaviour.
· These abilities contribute to the child’s growing ability to self-regulate:
• concentrate their thinking
• plan what to do next
• monitor what they are doing and adapt
• regulate strong feelings
• be patient for what they want
• bounce back when things get difficult
Language development is central to self-regulation: children use language to guide their actions and plans. Pretend play gives many opportunities for children to focus their thinking, persist and plan ahead.
During the session, participants will consider their curriculum, teaching and continuous provision and how these elements come together to support the development of self-regulation and executive functioning. We will look carefully at how to support children with difficulties and how we can continually improve the way we interact to fully support each child.
We will also consider the strands of executive functioning and how to notice and be assured that children are making progress in these strands.
Participants will have:
· A better understanding of self-regulation and executive function
· Knowledge of why these areas must be a focus
· Practical examples of how to support these areas
A method to notice progress being made by children.
