---
title: 4 Key Competencies of Executive Function in Students | Extended Notes
description: Each day, we rely on our brains to perform the tasks necessary to thinking, acting and solving problems—known collectively as executive function (EF).
---

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# [4 Key Competencies of Executive Function in Students | Extended Notes](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/4-key-competencies-of-executive-function-in-students)

 Written by [ExtendEDNotes](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/author/extendednotes) | Nov 4, 2015 5:00:00 AM

## Our Brain's Executive Functions

 

Each day, we rely on our brains to perform the tasks necessary to thinking, acting and solving problems—known collectively as** executive function (EF)**. These brain functions help us manage our attention, emotions and behavior in pursuit of our goals. Adele Diamond, a pioneer in the study of EF, believes it has a strong influence on school success. Students with weak executive functions struggle with planning, organization and following through with goals.

 

#### EF is comprised of four competencies that help students manage behavior and solve problems:

 

**Sustained Attention: focusing, sustaining or shifting attention to tasks at hand**

 

- Improve students’ focus by breaking down activities into smaller tasks and showing students how to use a variety of organizational approaches.

**Working Memory: recalling and applying information gained from previous experiences to current learning**

 

- Use memory strategies, such as acrostics, to help students remember important facts and concepts.

**Cognitive Flexibility: switching easily between different concepts and rules**

 

- Riddles, jokes and games with changing rules help students practice thinking flexibly.

**Inhibitory Control: monitoring behavior, avoiding distractions and resisting impulses**

 

- Play games such as Simon Says to help students exercise restraint and delay gratification.

For more information, check out Edutopia's *[Three Brain-Based Teaching Strategies to Build Executive Function in Students](http://www.edutopia.org/blog/brain-based-teaching-strategies-judy-willis)*.

[View full post](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/4-key-competencies-of-executive-function-in-students)

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