Why Executive Function Matters in Early Childhood Education
In today’s fast-paced world, children face more cognitive and emotional demands than ever before. Executive function — a set of mental skills that includes working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control — plays a critical role in a child’s ability to plan, focus, follow directions, and manage emotions.
These executive functioning skills are especially vital during early development, when brain plasticity is at its peak. For parents, educators, and professionals involved in early childhood education, finding tools that effectively nurture these functions is essential for improved learning outcomes.
Six Bricks Education, developed by the LEGO® Foundation, offers a dynamic approach that embeds executive functioning development into play-based learning, making it a powerful learning tool in both home and education settings.
What Is Executive Function?
Executive functioning encompasses a wide range of cognitive abilities, including:
- Working memory – holding and manipulating information
- Cognitive flexibility – switching perspectives or strategies
- Inhibitory control – resisting impulses and distractions
These abilities contribute to problem-solving, language development, emotional regulation, and goal-setting — core competencies in early childhood and beyond. Programs like the SMARTS Executive Function Curriculum and Planning – Executive Functioning Skill modules align closely with these principles.
Why Play Matters for Executive Function
Play isn’t just fun — it’s foundational. Pretend play, symbolic play, and constructive play help children explore, imagine, and problem-solve. Methods like block play, object play, and loose parts play build visual memory and decision-making skills in young learners.
The Six Bricks method introduces memory games, visual memory skills, and structured challenges that strengthen higher-order executive function through playful learning. These techniques are aligned with global insights from the Texas Education Agency, IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, and the National Staff Development Council, who emphasize play’s role in developing professional learning outcomes.
How Six Bricks Supports Executive Function Development
1. Strengthens Working Memory
Six Bricks activities require children to retain and apply sequences, shapes, or colors — reinforcing visual memory and working memory in a fun, hands-on way. This supports cognitive development and prepares children for STEM education tasks later in life.
2. Enhances Inhibitory Control
Games like “Stop and Build” or “Color Freeze” promote inhibitory control, encouraging kids to think before they act. This is a core part of the Executive Function Classroom Checklist used in evaluating behavioral progress.
3. Boosts Cognitive Flexibility
Switching between instructions or adapting to rule changes builds cognitive flexibility, an essential part of executive functioning. Children learn to shift their thinking and adapt to new contexts — a key predictor of academic and social success.
4. Encourages Planning and Sequencing
Tasks involving pattern building or storytelling promote Planning – Executive Functioning Skill, allowing children to visualize and organize their actions. This mirrors objectives found in the SMARTS Executive Function Curriculum.
Practical Applications in Early Learning Environments
In the Classroom
Educators can use Six Bricks during teacher professional development sessions to introduce inclusive play strategies and enhance learning styles awareness. When incorporated into digital learning or online learning platforms, Six Bricks expands accessibility while maintaining tactile engagement.
At Home
Parents can use the Fair Play card system or outdoor play environments to implement structured Six Bricks activities. These moments provide consistent routines that boost language development, sensory development, and self-regulation.
“The transformation in executive functioning among my students has been remarkable. Six Bricks helped us integrate fun into our routine while achieving real academic and behavioral growth.”
Six Bricks Activities for Executive Function
Here are a few targeted exercises designed to develop executive function:
- Color Command: A listening and sorting game to develop inhibitory control.
- Follow & Build: Enhances working memory by requiring children to replicate a pattern after viewing it briefly.
- Switch It Up: Improves cognitive flexibility by changing rules mid-game.
- Story Time Build: Supports symbolic play, sequencing, and language development through collaborative storytelling.
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Conclusion: A Future-Focused Learning Tool
Six Bricks is more than a play resource — it’s a developmental powerhouse that aligns with the needs of modern education. Whether in formal education settings or informal outdoor play environments, it provides a proven path to developing executive function through constructive play and intentional learning resources.
As research continues to show the link between play and executive functioning curriculum success, Six Bricks stands out as a tool that is simple, inclusive, and highly effective. Ready to implement it in your program?
Empower your learners with every brick they touch.