Match the description to the Executive Function Skill or decide it’s not an Executive Skill at all.
| Executive Skill | Description of Behaviour |
| Problem Solving | Having discovered that the oven is broken Brian heats the lasagne in the microwave before finishing it under the grill.
Yes, Brian is showing good Problem Solving skills to come up with this solution. No, try again thinks about the skills Brian is having to employ |
| Emotional Regulation | I know she has the cold but Monica’s constant sniffing is SO IRRITATING. Keep calm, take a breath, probably better to go to my room I don’t want to lose my temper and say something I regret.
Yes, they are successfully managing their emotional response rather than letting the situation escalate. No, try again |
| Inhibition | Osy opts for the carrot sticks and low calorie dip rather than the last slice of chocolate cake. Yes he’d enjoy it more and it would be his ‘go to’ choice but he really wants to make this week’s goal.
Yes, Stuart is inhibiting a more immediate response to help towards a future goal. No, think about what is happening when Stuart resists the chocolate cake. |
| Planning/Organisation | Before starting the DIY job Linda writes down the steps involved and gathers all the tools and materials she needs.
Yes, Linda is thinking ahead planning the job and organising what’s required to get it done. No, try again think about the skills Linda is using. |
| Cognitive shift/ Flexibility | Driving abroad always takes a bit of getting used to thinks Grace as she gets into the hire car. It takes a while to adapt to things being different from usual.
Yes, Grace is having to be flexible to accommodate an unfamiliar car, controls being in different places, and driving on new roads on the opposite side! Not quite, try again. |
| Self Monitoring | Sayed has learned that it is useful to stop and check his work every so often. This helps him pick up any errors and ensure he’s still on target.
Yes, Sayed is monitoring his own work and making sure he’s still working towards the original goal. Not quite, think again about the skills Syed is using. |
| Not An Executive Skill | Gill is happy with second place at her works Zoom Quiz. She’s always prided herself in her general knowledge.
Yes, answering general knowledge questions doesn’t really take much executive skills. No, try again. Hannah decides to practice the piece for their Grade 6 music exam one more time. They think ‘I’ve played it so often I’ll be doing it in my sleep’. Yes, while executive functions were important while learning this piece Hannah has played it so often they can largely do it ‘without thinking’. No try again. Executive functions are important when learning something new but when repeating something you’ve done many times before… |
Page last reviewed: 15 Jul 2022
