Executive Functioning - A Primer

Does your child struggle to start tasks, remember instructions, or handle unexpected changes? These challenges often point to executive functioning — the brain's system for planning, focusing, and self-regulation. The good news: EF skills can be taught and strengthened at any age with the right support at home and school. We put together a quick overview of what EF is, how it develops, and what families and educators can do to help.

About the Author: Dana Davis Weinstein, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of CPEA with over 25 years of experience in pediatric psychology, earning her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from Emory University and completing postdoctoral fellowship training in Pediatric Psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.