Executive Function for Preschoolers
Strategies for Routines and Play
Will be published approx. on 25. March 2027
Book
Paperback/Softback
128 pages
978-1-952331-54-1 (ISBN)
Description
With strong executive function skills, young children can plan, focus, self-regulate, organize, and problem-solve!
Children who do not develop strong executive function (EF) skills often struggle with learning, classroom routines, and relationships. But EF skills can be improved in early childhood, and this book guides teachers to support children's EF in ways that are developmentally appropriate and easily integrated into existing routines and play experiences.
Teachers will discover
Practical explanations of what the executive function system does, how it develops, and why children need intentional support to develop EF skills
Five EF skills that are particularly important in the preschool years: selective attention, inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and problem solving
How to facilitate those skills through daily routines, play, games, movement activities, and mindfulness practices
Additional ways to support children who struggle the most with EF skills, including children with neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD and autism
Strategies they can share with families to use at home
As educators support children's development of these skills will the activities in this book, they help children build success in school and in life.
Children who do not develop strong executive function (EF) skills often struggle with learning, classroom routines, and relationships. But EF skills can be improved in early childhood, and this book guides teachers to support children's EF in ways that are developmentally appropriate and easily integrated into existing routines and play experiences.
Teachers will discover
Practical explanations of what the executive function system does, how it develops, and why children need intentional support to develop EF skills
Five EF skills that are particularly important in the preschool years: selective attention, inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and problem solving
How to facilitate those skills through daily routines, play, games, movement activities, and mindfulness practices
Additional ways to support children who struggle the most with EF skills, including children with neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD and autism
Strategies they can share with families to use at home
As educators support children's development of these skills will the activities in this book, they help children build success in school and in life.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington DC
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
figures
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 203 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-952331-54-1 (9781952331541)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Carrie S. Cutler, EdD,?is a clinical associate professor of elementary education at the University of Houston. A former elementary teacher, she has more than 20 years of experience preparing and supporting preservice and in-service elementary and early childhood educators through teaching, professional development, and curriculum work. Her scholarship and presentations focus on developmentally appropriate practice, executive function, and early childhood mathematics.
Dr. Cutler has received the University of Houston's Teaching Excellence and President's Circle awards and was named Teacher Educator of the Year by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. She earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston.
Jennifer J. Chen, EdD, earned her doctorate in human development and psychology from Harvard University. She is professor of early childhood education at Kean University in New Jersey. Ranked among the world's top 2 percent of scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier, Dr. Chen is a nationally and internationally respected scholar with more than 100 publications, including four books, co-edited volumes, and numerous peer-reviewed research articles. She is a co-editor of NAEYC's?Casebook: Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8?(2023). Dr. Chen is also an award-winning researcher, scholar, mentor, and teacher educator. Honors include the 2025 and 2021 Kean Presidential Excellence Awards in Scholarship, the 2023 Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher Educator Award from the NAECTE Foundation, the 2022 NJAECTE Distinguished Scholarship in ECTE/ECE Award, and the 2020 NAECTE Foundation Established Career Award for Research in Early Childhood Teacher Education.
Dr. Cutler has received the University of Houston's Teaching Excellence and President's Circle awards and was named Teacher Educator of the Year by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children. She earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston.
Jennifer J. Chen, EdD, earned her doctorate in human development and psychology from Harvard University. She is professor of early childhood education at Kean University in New Jersey. Ranked among the world's top 2 percent of scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier, Dr. Chen is a nationally and internationally respected scholar with more than 100 publications, including four books, co-edited volumes, and numerous peer-reviewed research articles. She is a co-editor of NAEYC's?Casebook: Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8?(2023). Dr. Chen is also an award-winning researcher, scholar, mentor, and teacher educator. Honors include the 2025 and 2021 Kean Presidential Excellence Awards in Scholarship, the 2023 Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher Educator Award from the NAECTE Foundation, the 2022 NJAECTE Distinguished Scholarship in ECTE/ECE Award, and the 2020 NAECTE Foundation Established Career Award for Research in Early Childhood Teacher Education.
Content
Chapter 1: Understanding Executive Function in Young Children
Chapter 2: Building EF Skills Along the Play Spectrum
Chapter 3: Play-Based Strategies
Chapter 4: Routines and Classroom Organization
Chapter 4 Appendix: Families
Chapter 5: Games, Movement, and Mindfulness
Chapter 2: Building EF Skills Along the Play Spectrum
Chapter 3: Play-Based Strategies
Chapter 4: Routines and Classroom Organization
Chapter 4 Appendix: Families
Chapter 5: Games, Movement, and Mindfulness