Why is executive functioning important in classrooms?
First let us understand what an Executive function is. Executive function is attaining a set of skills that promote inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility.
Executive functioning is very important to consider in the classrooms right from Early-years of learning. Executive function skills promote critical thinking in students to consider the consequences and impacts before they act. It helps in achieving a set of mental processes that helps students to prioritise needs, set goals, make right choices, manage time productively, problem solving and self discipline.
When students attain executive functioning it not only benefits the individual but also the entire society experiences the result of it. Students with Executive function skills will be able to accept the challenges as opportunities which helps them sustain anywhere in the world.
What curriculum does your school follow to implement executive functioning?
SRV International School follows IB (international Baccalaureate) in Primary level and Cambridge international curriculum in Secondary level.
Executive functioning is highly visible in our school through the curricula and culture of the school. In our school we make sure that the learning engagements are designed to promote the EF skills. Students are given agency to make decisions in academic and non academic areas. Problem solving, decision making, goal setting opportunities are provided not only within the classroom but also in the playground and other informal learning areas too. Students are given opportunities to lead the events, make their own journal, set their goals and relook into the goals and work on, conduct sessions for parents, take leadership roles etc. These opportunities promote students to imbibe executive functioning skills by default. Collaborative learning and Transdisciplinary curriculum is a big platform for imbibing EF skills.
What strategies does your school follow to support students struggling with poor executive functioning skills?
Students may not be born with executive functioning skills. They need to be given opportunities , put into situations where they have to prioritise, make decisions and solve problems. All students may not gain these skills in the same way. In our school it is a part of our curriculum and daily learning engagements. Having said so, additional focus is always on those who need more support. Teachers are well aware of identifying the students who need more support. Apart from one to one support, differentiated engagements and opportunities are provided as per the students capability and slowly higher order opportunities are given. Tailored learning engagements are provided to students as per their interest and capability. For example students play indoor and our games with set rules. The role of the students changes from game to game to get them experienced in different capacities. These games promote self regulation , self control, emotional balance, decision making and problem solving skills.
Collaborative academic learning engagements which promote logical thinking and reasoning , equation based / principle based sums in mathematics and creative and critical thinking writing, debating, persuasive writing/ conversations in language are some of our practices. Involving in performance arts in groups also promotes executive function skills.
Can you share any success stories or examples of how your school has effectively addressed executive functioning challenges in the classroom?
SRV International School believes in ‘equity in learning’. We did have two students with limited or No executive function skills initially across Early years to Primary level. They were reluctant not only to learn but to be a collaborative person among others.
We identify them at the time of enrolment and work with them right from the beginning. Extra individual attention is given to them, initially to make them confident. My teachers analyse students, prioritise the needs of students, design necessary learning engagements, and map their timings and curriculum with the engagements planned. They spend a daily planned time with the child to imbibe the skills. The inclusive coordinator and the Special Needs Educator collaborate with the class teachers to implement the designed plan. We could see a drastic change in six months in these two children. Now these students show high responsibility in their earning, they take additional responsibilities in and out of the classroom. Recently they demonstrated their achievements with their parents through a detailed exhibition.
What professional development opportunities should be given to teachers to enhance their understanding of executive functioning, according to you?
Awareness of Executive functioning skills is very much crucial. In our school our curriculum and lesson plans demand to include the opportunities for these skills. IB and Cambridge Learner profile attributes enhance the Executive functioning skills. In fact any curriculum is designed to imbibe skills and understand concepts.
Teachers must get professional development on designing skill based lesson plans. Short PD training can happen through reading reflections, webinars and peer learning. Teachers can visit other schools to practically understand how these skills are implemented. Inviting a specialist trainer to the school at the time of curriculum development is a good idea because it helps to incorporate the suggestions into the curriculum. Workshops on ‘’Agency in learning’’, Agency in Assessments’’.
Collaborative planning with other subject teachers will always help to understand the student in multiple aspects and so it becomes easy to work with the student.
Free courses are available over the internet for child development and Executive Function. www.developingchild.harvard.edu
Ms Subbalakshmi Bulusu is the Vice President of SRV International Schools, Salem, Tamil Nadu, a Curriculum developer and a Teacher trainer. She is also an IB Evaluation Leader and IB Programme Leader, IB PYP Workshop Leader, IB PYP School visit leader and IB PYP Consultant and Application Reader.
