{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Executive function: Flexible thinking","description":"Have you ever played \u201chot\/cold\u201d with your child? It\u2019s good for a laugh, particularly when a child can\u2019t find something in plain sight. But it\u2019s also great at teaching young children flexible thinking, or the ability to adapt to change. As they are searching for the lost item, they are listening to directions and staying flexible when they have to change course. In this series on executive function, we\u2019ve been looking at ways to help our children build these skills, which include working memory, impulse control and cognitive flexibility. These mental tasks take practice and must be learned and relearned. All the while, you\u2019re laying the foundation for school-age success. Joining Host Jessica Rolph to explain the neuroscience behind flexible thinking is Dr. Stuart Marcovitch, a professor in the Department of Psychology at UNC Greensboro.   Takeaways: While routines help children know what to expect, you can start mixing up the routine a bit at age 4. It gives your child an opportunity to practice flexible thinking. Maybe you brush teeth and then take a bath, instead of the other way around. Games like 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 great for building flexible thinking. Offering children choices is another cognitive flexibility technique, because it allows them to consider various alternatives simultaneously. Stuart recommends offering choices while cooking with your child: Do you want to cut the carrots into rounds or slice them into sticks?   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":"