Play materials and executive functions
Author: Tanja Damhof
Webshop owner and mother
Executive Functions: The Keys to Learning and Development in Children
Executive functions are cognitive skills that are crucial for the daily functioning of children. These functions help children to plan, concentrate, solve problems and think flexibly. They form the "control mechanisms" of the brain, so to speak, which ensure that we can function well in a world full of stimuli and challenges.
But how can these skills be stimulated? An effective and playful way is through toys! Many toys help children develop their executive functions, without them even realizing it. In this article we will discuss the most important executive functions and how specific toys can help to improve them.
1. Planning: The ability to think ahead
What is it?
Planning is the ability to set a goal and plan the steps to achieve it. Children learn to anticipate, organize, and structure with this skill.
How do you encourage it?
Toys like building sets, puzzles, and play materials with example cards force children to think ahead and plan. They must first visualize what they want to create or achieve, and then work step by step to complete that goal.
Examples of toys:
- Construction sets
- Puzzles (from simple to complex)
- Playing material with sample cards
2. Problem Solving Skills: Overcoming Challenges
What is it?
Problem solving is the ability to find creative solutions to obstacles and challenges. This function helps children to think logically and experiment.
How do you encourage it?
Toys that challenge children to solve problems, such as building or thinking games, stimulate this function. Think of construction toys where they have to build something, or games where they have to think of strategies to win.
Examples of toys:
- Construction toys (blocks, magnetic building sets)
- Brain games (such as tangram, or educational puzzles)
- Craft kits where a creation is built up step by step
3. Flexible Thinking: Adapting to new situations
What is it?
Flexible thinking is the ability to change your thoughts or strategy when something isn’t working. Flexible thinking requires children to adjust their approach based on new information or changing circumstances.
How do you encourage it?
Toys that offer multiple solutions, such as open-ended toys or games with multiple outcomes, encourage children to think flexibly. Role-playing and fantasy toys, where different scenarios are possible, help develop this skill.
Examples of toys:
- Construction toys that are offered as open-ended material
- Fantasy play material
- Card and board games with different strategies
4. Inhibition: Impulse control and self-control
What is it?
Inhibition is the ability to control impulses and think before acting. This is essential in developing self-control and patience.
How do you encourage it?
Toys that require concentration and precision, such as board games or balance games, help children control their impulses. Games that require them to wait their turn or be very careful encourage this skill.
Examples of toys:
- Board games where children have to wait for their turn
- Balance or agility games
- Precision games such as Make'n'break and stacking towers
5. Sustained Attention: Concentration and perseverance
What is it?
Sustained attention is the ability to maintain focus on a task even when things get tough or distracting. This helps children complete tasks and focus their attention.
How do you encourage it?
Toys that require prolonged concentration, such as large puzzles or complex building sets, can stimulate this skill. Creative activities that require children to remain focused for longer periods of time, such as painting or clay modeling, also promote sustained attention.
Examples of toys:
- Large or complex puzzles
- Multi-step construction kits
- Creative craft kits (e.g. painting, blow-drying or sculpting)
6. Working memory: Retaining and processing information
What is it?
Working memory helps children retain and work with information, such as remembering instructions or strategies while performing a task.
How do you encourage it?
Memory games such as Memory or games where children have to remember different steps stimulate working memory. Board games that require following strategies also help strengthen this function.
Examples of toys:
- Memory
- Strategic board games such as chess
- Brain games like Find Montey
7. Emotion Regulation: Dealing with Emotions
What is it?
Emotion regulation is the ability to control emotions and use them effectively to achieve goals or complete tasks, even in the face of setbacks.
How do you encourage it?
Role-playing with emotion toys helps children to explore and regulate different emotions. They learn how to deal with frustrations and can empathize with different situations and emotions of others.
Examples of toys:
- Emotion visualization
- Role-playing material and emotion games
- Emotional regulation breathing games
8. Task Initiation: Get Started Without Delay
What is it?
Task initiation is the ability to begin a task on time and without delay. This can help children to approach tasks proactively.
How do you encourage it?
Games that require immediate action, such as time-based games (e.g. with an hourglass), help children to get started quickly and purposefully without hesitation.
Examples of toys:
- Time games
- Time games with hourglasses
- Task-oriented activities such as craft projects
9. Organization: Providing structure
What is it?
Organization is about the ability to arrange information and materials in a structured way. This helps children to keep track and know what they are doing.
How do you encourage it?
Toys such as sorting games or activities that require children to organize their materials help develop this skill.
Examples of toys:
- Sorting games
- Educational building sets with clear steps
- Craft kits that require an organized approach
10. Time Management: Dealing with Time Effectively
What is it?
Time management is the ability to manage time effectively and complete tasks within a given time. This helps children meet deadlines and be productive.
How do you encourage it?
Toys with a time limit, such as hourglass games or challenges that must be completed within a certain time, help children practice time management.
Examples of toys:
- Hourglass games
- Playing with a children's stopwatch
- Action games
11. Purposeful Perseverance: Don't Give Up
What is it?
This is the ability to continue working towards a goal despite setbacks or difficulties until it is achieved.
How do you encourage it?
Complex building projects, such as construction sets with many steps or craft activities that require patience, can help children develop perseverance.
Examples of toys:
- construction sets with many parts
- Detailed craft kits
- games with time pressure and opponent
12. Metacognition: Reflecting on your own thinking
What is it?
Metacognition is the ability to think about your own thinking, including evaluating your performance and improving yourself.
How do you encourage it?
Games that require children to evaluate and adjust their own actions, such as educational brain games or construction projects that involve recognizing and correcting mistakes, help develop this function.
Examples of toys:
- Puzzles that require adapting strategies
- Educational games like SmartGames
- Construction sets that require children to rethink their approach
Conclusion: Toys as a Learning Tool for Executive Functions
Executive functions play a crucial role in children's development, and toys offer a great way to stimulate these functions through play. The play material should match the motor and cognitive age of a child, then the desired learning effect can occur.