Self-Control, Self-Regulation, and Executive Function

A very fun video brought to you by a very distinguished, much-loved instructor.

The skills that our friend the Cookie Monster demonstrates are critical to school readiness and success in school and beyond. Commonly referred to as self-control, self-regulation and executive function, these skills include things such as planning, strategizing, organizing, setting goals, being able to focus, filtering distractions and switching gears.

According to Harvard's Center on the Developing Child, having well-developed executive function abilities produces life-long benefits:

• School Achievement: Executive function skills help children remember and follow multi-step instructions, avoid distractions, control rash responses, adjust when rules change, persist at problem solving, and manage long-term assignments.
• Positive Behaviors: Executive functions help children develop skills of teamwork, leadership, decision-making, working toward goals,  critical thinking, adaptability, and being aware of our own emotions as well as those of others.
• Good Health: Executive function skills help people make more positive choices about nutrition and exercise; to resist pressure to take risks, try drugs, or have unprotected sex; and to be more conscious of safety for ourselves and our children.
• Successful Work: Executive function skills increase our potential for economic success because we are better organized, able to solve problems that require planning, and prepared to adjust to changing circumstances.