{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Executive function: Thinking ahead","description":"Executive functioning skills are important, because they help us achieve our goals. Children with strong executive functioning skills have the focus, patience, flexibility and resilience to succeed in\u2014and out\u2014of school.  While children continue to develop these skills into adolescence, research shows they surge at 4 years old. And they can be really fun to practice! In this episode, My New Life Host Jessica Rolph welcomes Whitman Professor of Psychology Dr. Melissa Clearfield a second time. She first appeared on the show 3 years ago to discuss her research demonstrating differences in executive function in infants. This time, the focus is on executive function in older children, specifically a child\u2019s ability to think ahead, a component of working memory. Takeaways: The three pillars of executive function are: impulse control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The Lovevery Reach for the Stars Matching Cards \u2014 where you sort by shape, and then code switch to sort the same cards by color \u2014 are a great way to practice cognitive flexibility. Executive function stems from attention, being able to focus on the right things and block out distractors. This is challenging at ages 3, 4 and 5 because of a child\u2019s still-developing impulse control. Working on that selective, sustained focus is primary at this stage, and is best achieved through play with an adult. The concept of time is still very vague before the age of 5. \u201cWe\u2019re leaving in 15 minutes\u201d has little meaning. Sequencing, however, is something they can do! \u201cWe have three things to do. Can we get them all done before your sister gets home?\u201d The Lovevery countdown timer helps reinforce this skill visually. Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com  Receive weekly emails about your child\u2019s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram   ","author_name":"My New Life","author_url":"https:\/\/lovevery.com\/","html":"