Play materials and executive functions

Executive Functions: The Keys to Learning and Development in Children Executive functions are cognitive skills crucial for children's daily functioning. These functions help children with planning, concentration, problem-solving, and flexible thinking. They are, as it were, the "control mechanisms" of the brain, ensuring 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 discuss the most important executive functions and how specific toys can help improve them. 1. Planning: The ability to think ahead What is it?Planning is the ability to set a goal and devise the steps to achieve that goal. Children learn with this skill to anticipate, organize, and structure. How to stimulate it?Toys such as building sets, puzzles, and play materials with example cards force children to think ahead and plan. They must first form an idea of what they want to create or achieve, and then work step-by-step to complete that goal. Examples of toys: Building sets Puzzles (from simple to complex) Play materials with example cards 2. Problem-Solving Ability: Overcoming challenges What is it?Problem-solving ability is the skill to find creative solutions for obstacles and challenges. This function helps children to think logically and experiment. How to stimulate it?Toys that challenge children to solve problems, such as construction or thinking games, stimulate this function. Think of construction toys where they have to build something, or games where strategies need to be devised to win. Examples of toys: Construction toys (blocks, magnetic building sets) Thinking games (such as smart games, or educational puzzles) Craft kits where a creation is built step by step 3. Flexible Thinking: Adapting to new situations What is it?Flexible thinking is the ability to change one's thoughts or strategy when something isn't working. With flexible thinking, children must adapt their approach based on new information or changing circumstances. How to stimulate it?Toys that offer different solutions, such as open-ended toys or games with multiple outcomes, encourage children to think flexibly. Role-playing games and fantasy toys, where different scenarios are possible, help develop this skill. Examples of toys: Construction toys offered as open-ended material Fantasy play materials Card and board games with different strategies 4. Inhibition: Impulse control and self-restraint What is it?Inhibition is the ability to control impulses and think before acting. This is essential in developing self-control and patience. How to stimulate it?Toys that require concentration and precision, such as board games or balancing games, help children control their impulses. Games where they have to wait their turn or be very careful stimulate this skill. Examples of toys: Board games where children have to wait their turn Balancing or dexterity games Precision games like 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 it becomes difficult or distractions are great. This helps children to complete tasks and direct their attention to something. How to stimulate it?Toys that require prolonged concentration, such as large puzzles or complex building sets, can stimulate this skill. Creative activities where children remain focused for longer periods, such as painting or molding clay, also promote sustained attention. Examples of toys: Large or complex puzzles Building kits with multiple steps Creative craft kits (e.g., painting, blow pens, or sculpting) 6. Working Memory: Holding and processing information What is it?Working memory helps children hold and work with information, such as remembering instructions or strategies while performing a task. How to stimulate it?Memory games like Memory or games where children have to remember different steps stimulate working memory. Board games where strategies must be followed also help strengthen this function. Examples of toys: Memory Strategic board games like chess Thinking 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 when things are difficult. How to stimulate it?Role-playing games with emotion toys help children explore and regulate different emotions. They learn how to cope with frustrations and can empathize with different situations and emotions of others. Examples of toys: Emotion visualization Role-play material and emotion games Emotion-regulating breathing games 8. Task Initiation: Starting tasks without delay What is it?Task initiation is the ability to start a task on time and without delay. This can help children to approach tasks proactively. How to stimulate it?Games that require immediate action, such as time-based games (for example, with an hourglass), help children 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: Structuring information What is it?Organization is about the ability to structure information and materials. This helps children maintain an overview and know what they are doing. How to stimulate it?Toys such as sorting games or activities where children have to arrange 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: Effectively managing time What is it?Time management is the ability to manage time effectively and complete tasks within a given timeframe. This helps children meet deadlines and be productive. How to stimulate it?Toys with a time limit, such as games with an hourglass or challenges that must be completed within a certain time, help children practice time management. Examples of toys: Hourglass games Games with a children's stopwatch Action games 11. Goal-Directed Persistence: Not giving up What is it?This is the ability to keep working towards a goal despite setbacks or difficulties until it is achieved. How to stimulate it?Complex building projects, such as building sets with many steps or craft activities that require patience, can help children develop persistence. Examples of toys: Building sets with many parts Detailed craft kits Games with time pressure and opponents 12. Metacognition: Reflecting on one's own thinking What is it?Metacognition is the ability to think about one's own thinking, including evaluating one's performance and improving oneself. How to stimulate it?Games where children have to evaluate and adjust their own actions, such as educational thinking games or building projects where errors are recognized and corrected, help develop this function. Examples of toys: Puzzles where strategies need to be adapted Educational games like SmartGames Building sets where children need to revise 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 playfully stimulate these functions. The play material must match a child's motor and cognitive age for the desired learning effect to occur.

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Play materials and executive functions

Author: Tanja Damhof

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