The Development of Executive Functioning from Infancy to Teenage Years
Executive functioning skills are the mental processes that help us plan, organise, and manage our actions. These skills are essential for completing tasks, controlling emotions, and setting goals. Executive functioning develops gradually over time, starting in infancy and continuing into the teenage years.
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we work with children to build their executive functioning skills through Occupational Therapy. In this blog post, we’ll explain the key milestones in executive functioning development and how we can help if your child is struggling.
What Is Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning refers to a set of skills that help children:
- Plan and organise tasks
- Manage time effectively
- Stay focused and on task
- Control impulses and emotions
- Solve problems and make decisions
- Adapt to changing situations
These skills are essential for success at home, in school, and in social settings. However, children with learning challenges, such as ADHD, autism, or developmental delays, may find it difficult to develop executive functioning skills. Understanding the milestones of executive functioning development can help you identify if your child needs support.
Executive Functioning Milestones from Infancy to Teenage Years
6 Months to 1 Year
- Attention and Focus: Babies begin to focus on objects or people for short periods.
- Working Memory: Infants start to remember simple information, such as the location of a hidden toy.
- Inhibitory Control: Early signs of impulse control appear as babies start to follow simple rules like “don’t touch.”
1 to 2 Years
- Goal-Directed Behaviour: Toddlers show persistence, like trying to fit shapes into a sorter.
- Problem-Solving: They experiment with cause and effect, such as pushing buttons on a toy to make it work.
- Self-Regulation: Emotional regulation begins, but tantrums and impulsive behaviour are still common.
2 to 3 Years
- Planning and Organisation: Children begin to break down tasks into smaller steps, such as stacking blocks.
- Delayed Gratification: They start to wait for short periods, showing early signs of delayed gratification.
- Increased Attention Span: Toddlers can focus on an activity for longer, up to a few minutes.
3 to 5 Years
- Working Memory: Preschoolers follow multi-step instructions and remember more complex sequences.
- Flexibility: They begin to adapt to changing rules in games or activities.
- Improved Impulse Control: They manage impulses better, though emotional outbursts are still common.
5 to 7 Years (Early School Age)
- Task Initiation: Children start tasks independently, like beginning homework without constant reminders.
- Planning: They plan simple tasks, like packing their school bag.
- Improved Problem-Solving: They develop strategies, such as using trial and error to solve problems.
7 to 10 Years (Middle Childhood)
- Organisation Skills: Children keep track of their schoolwork and belongings.
- Time Management: They manage time better, planning for tasks and meeting deadlines.
- Self-Monitoring: Children check their progress and make adjustments as needed.
10 to 12 Years (Late Childhood)
- Advanced Planning: Pre-teens create detailed plans and follow through, such as organising a project with multiple steps.
- Abstract Thinking: They start thinking more abstractly, helping with problem-solving.
- Improved Emotional Regulation: Pre-teens develop strategies to manage emotions, such as talking through problems.
13 to 15 Years (Early Adolescence)
- Long-Term Goal Setting: Teenagers set and pursue long-term goals, such as planning for future academic success.
- Increased Responsibility: They take on more responsibilities, like managing schoolwork and extracurricular activities.
- Improved Cognitive Flexibility: Adolescents adapt to changing situations and shift between tasks more easily.
16 to 18 Years (Late Adolescence)
- Refined Executive Functioning: By late adolescence, executive functioning skills, such as planning, organisation, and self-regulation, become more sophisticated.
- Advanced Problem-Solving: Teenagers handle complex tasks, such as making decisions about their future.
- Mature Emotional Regulation: Emotional self-control is more developed, helping them manage stress and emotions.
How Occupational Therapy at OneOnOne Children’s Therapy Can Help
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we understand that some children may need extra support to develop their executive functioning skills. Our Occupational Therapists work with children to build these essential skills through personalised therapy plans. We focus on areas such as planning, organisation, emotional regulation, and time management.
Our therapists use a variety of strategies, such as visual schedules, checklists, and hands-on activities, to help children improve their executive functioning. We also work closely with parents and teachers to create a consistent support system, ensuring that progress made in therapy is carried over into daily life.
Conclusion
Executive functioning skills are the foundation for learning, independence, and emotional well-being. These skills develop gradually from infancy through the teenage years, but some children need extra support to build them. Occupational Therapy can provide the tools and strategies needed to help children succeed.
If you’re concerned about your child’s executive functioning skills, OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how our Occupational Therapists can support your child’s development and help them reach their full potential. Our Occupational Therapists are AHPRA registered.
