End of Term 3 already and we are all looking forward to a break to enjoy the Spring weather. What a busy and fun term it has been. The students in SLP enjoyed Open Night with their families and dressing up for Book Week.

This newsletter I thought I would quickly discuss the ways that schools support our students and their Executive Functioning.

Executive functions are brain processes that help us manage our thoughts and actions. These include the ability to organise and plan, shift attention, be flexible with thinking, and self-regulate, which can all impact how a young person copes with daily tasks.

In the classroom a child’s developing executive functioning is supported by teachers-

• using a structured timetable that provides a clear, visual daily timetable that outlines activities and transitions.
• breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps with mini checklists outlining what needs to be completed.
• teaching students planning skills explicitly, including how to prioritise tasks and set goals.
• use colour-coding for timetables and tasks to make organisation easier to follow.
• providing organisational tools.
• providing access to timers to allocate specific periods for tasks and breaks.
• have students reflect on their time management skills and set study goals.
• using visual supports incorporating charts, diagrams, and graphic organisers to help visualise information and visual prompts to signal the start of a task.
• engaging students in hands-on activities that reinforce memory through practice.
• offering support to increase their independence.
• use modelling and role-playing to demonstrate how to start a task and have students’ practise.
• explicitly teach students to identify and understand their emotions, provide regulation strategies, and create a quiet, calm space for students to support their self regulation. This could include different sensory supports and visuals.
• teaching flexibility skills and integrating lessons and role playing that discuss the concepts of change, decision making and adaptability.

If you would like to know more Executive Functioning, please do not hesitate to chat with someone in the office or your child’s teacher.

Kind regards,