Executive Functioning Skills
Discover how Lakeside Primary School builds executive functioning skills in students. Find out how parents can partner with the school to support these skills at home.
Understanding Executive Functioning Skills
What Are Executive Functioning Skills?
Executive Functioning Skills (EFS) are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, juggle multiple tasks, and regulate our emotions. Think of these skills as the “air traffic control system” of the brain — helping to manage and direct our thoughts, actions, and emotions so that we can achieve our goals.
Why Are These Skills Important?
Executive functioning skills are crucial for:
Academic success and learning efficiency
Social relationships and emotional well-being
Future career readiness and life skills
Self-regulation and independent living
Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Developing Executive Functioning Skills in Lakeside
At Lakeside Primary School, we believe that students thrive when they are equipped with the skills to manage themselves, work well with others, and take ownership of their learning. Our approach to executive functioning skills supports this belief by strengthening the habits and mindsets that help children grow into empathetic leaders and lifelong learners. These skills are not taught in isolation. Instead, they are woven into everyday learning experiences to support our school vision.
Through EFS, students learn to:
Manage emotions and behaviour thoughtfully
Make responsible choices and adapt to change
Stay focused, plan ahead and persevere with challenges
Reflect on their learning and strive to improve
These skills help children develop empathy, resilience and independence — qualities that are essential for both leadership and lifelong learning. To provide clarity and consistency for students, staff and families, LSPS aligns Executive Functioning Skills with Leaders in Me. This ensures that children encounter the same messages, language and expectations across classrooms, programmes and school experiences.
Our integrated approach brings together:
Executive Functioning Skills (EFS) – helping students manage attention, emotions and actions
Leaders in Me (7 Habits) – nurturing leadership, responsibility and positive relationships
Lifelong Learning Dispositions – encouraging reflection, perseverance and resourcefulness
By aligning these frameworks, we help students see clear connections between:
How they manage themselves
How they learn and reflect
How they interact with others and contribute positively to the community
To help students better understand and remember the different Executive Functioning Skills, we have introduced a set of learning mascots.
Watch the video below to get to know our mascots:
Parent Partnership Section
How Can Parents Partner with the School to Develop Executive Functioning Skills at Home?
Read through the list of observable behaviours in the coloured boxes.
Observe your child in various situations over a period of time
Note which behaviours your child consistently displays and which ones they might struggle with
Affirm your child if they can display the skill
Use the EFS mascots to highlight positive behaviours.
For example: “You are always able to stay focused on completing your homework. Well done, On-Task Tiger!”
Identify two or three skills to focus on and strengthen over time. Sit down with your child and discuss which skills they would like to focus on
Prioritise skills that will have the most immediate positive impact on their daily life
Break down complex skills into smaller, manageable steps
Set realistic goals and timelines for improvement
Consider both school and home environments when selecting skills to work on
Plan activities that can help develop these skills
Create structured routines
Use visual aids like checklists, schedules, and timers
Set realistic goals and timelines for improvement
Incorporate games and activities that target specific skills:
Memory games for working memory
Board games for planning and strategy
Time-based challenges for time management
Organisation projects for sorting and categorising
Make learning these skills fun and engaging through:
Role-playing scenarios
Family activities that require planning
Interactive digital apps designed for executive function development
Can’t recall the information on the mascots? Do not worry! You can also guide your child by referring to the Student Handbook page 6 and 7.