Provision of Choice is Key to Executive Function Development in Toddlers It is clear that early executive function (EF) skills are important for many outcomes including social competence, emotion regulation, academic achievement, and school readiness (Allan et al., 2014, McClelland et al., 2013; Willoughby et al., 2017). We have seen remarkable growth in the number…
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Distanced but still Social: Youth and Digital Media during COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, child and adolescent use of digital media increased at unprecedented rates. In addition to attending classes through webcams, youth relied on digital media to socialize with peers, engage in social activism, play games, learn new skills, and interact with health care providers. This increased use has many parents wondering: Are my…
August 26, 2021
Who is Miss Mary Mack?
I often find myself feeling nostalgic as I pass by an elementary school playground and see children playing some of the same games I used to love as a kid. Playground games are typically passed down from generation to generation and often with a minor tweak here or there. What’s great about sing-along hand games…
August 19, 2021
How long can you concentrate?
I knew the day would eventually come – my grandson beat me at Memory. Usually, I let him win, but as the game progressed, I felt myself actually trying and missing one pair after another. We all know it’s inevitable, a child’s working memory surpassing that of a rusty adult brain. Not that I’m admitting defeat;…
August 13, 2021
Ready? Set? Roll!!
We’ve made it through the dog days of summer! What are those you might say? I looked it up – and without getting to “sciency”, it is the hottest part of summer due to the tilt of the earth and is named after a bright star. (My passion for science never waivers…) So what is…
August 5, 2021
Button, Button. Who’s Got the Button?
I grew up in the days of danger… rickety swingsets, no bicycle helmets, and climbing trees as high as I could without an adult within a block. This was also a time when games weren’t very sophisticated and household items were never discarded, just added to the toy bin. This week’s activity, Button, Button. Who’s Got…
July 28, 2021
Now You See It, Now You Don’t!
Can you find five differences in the image above? This task requires concentration and focus, behaviors that rely heavily on the Executive Function (EF) skill of working memory. Working memory is the skill to keep information active in your mind for a short period of time (seconds) and keeping it available for further processing. This…
July 21, 2021
Quit Bugging Me!
I’m sure we’ve heard that often enough over the last year and a half! Big sisters heckling little brothers, little cousins annoying overly cool teenagers, and yes, your youngest child hanging on your sleeve. Covid has definitely tested one’s patience. It’s time to get outdoors, stretch your legs, and explore the micro world of insects.…
July 15, 2021
Shake, Rattle, and Roll!
Or better yet, hop, skip, and jump! No matter how we phrase it, activity and play is important for everyone, children and adults alike. That is why Reflection Sciences and Playworks are working together this summer to make sure learning through fun continues. There are relationships between children’s play and development in several areas, including…
July 8, 2021
Walk Like an Egyptian!
You know the lyrics, and you can’t resist walking like an Egyptian when the song comes on. So you think it makes you the dorky parent but really it actually is strengthening your Executive Function skills! WHAT?! You read it right. Pretend play (yes, adults can do it, too) is a great way to support…