Executive Functioning Skills: The Hidden Superpowers Behind Early Reading

Executive Functioning Skills: The Hidden Superpowers Behind Early Reading

When children first learn to read, we tend to focus on the obvious skills — sounding out letters, learning sight words, and turning pages in the right direction. But beneath the surface, there’s another set of brain tools at work: executive functioning skills.

These are the skills that help children plan, focus, remember, and manage themselves — and they’re just as important to reading success as phonics or vocabulary.

Let’s dig into what these skills are, why they matter, and how parents (and pups like Finn 🐾) can help nurture them at home.


🧩 What Are Executive Functioning Skills?

Think of executive functions as the brain’s air traffic control system. They keep thoughts, emotions, and actions organized — helping kids juggle multiple mental tasks at once.

When a child sits down to read, they’re using executive function to:

  • Remember letter sounds while blending words.

  • Stay focused on the story even when distracted.

  • Keep trying when decoding gets tough.

  • Switch strategies when a word doesn’t make sense.

Without these behind-the-scenes skills, reading can feel frustrating and exhausting — even for kids who want to learn.


🧠 The 5 Key Executive Functioning Skills for Beginning Readers

1. Working Memory

This skill helps children hold and use information — like remembering a sentence while decoding individual words.

Try this at home:

  • Play “repeat back” games: say a short sentence and have your child repeat it.

  • Ask, “What just happened in the story?” every few pages or during confusing parts of the story.

  • Encourage your child to retell a favorite book to you or a stuffed animal friend.

These playful moments build memory and strengthen comprehension.


2. Inhibitory Control (Self-Regulation)

Reading takes patience — and that’s hard work for growing brains! Inhibitory control helps kids resist distractions, follow instructions, and stick with a task.

Try this at home:

  • Keep reading time short and sweet (5–10 minutes).

  • Celebrate effort more than accuracy: “You really stuck with that tricky word!”

  • Model calm when your child feels frustrated — your tone teaches them emotional control.


3. Cognitive Flexibility

This is the ability to switch gears and problem-solve. It’s what allows a reader to try a new decoding strategy when the first one doesn’t work.

Try this at home:

  • When your child misreads a word, gently say: “Let’s look at that again. What sound does this letter make?”

  • Play word games that involve finding multiple meanings or rhyming words.

  • Encourage curiosity: “What else could this picture be showing?”

Flexibility keeps reading fun — and turns mistakes into discoveries.


4. Attention and Focus

Focusing on a story, following along, and noticing details all depend on attention.

Try this at home:

  • Create a reading nook — a cozy, quiet space that feels special.

  • Stick to a regular reading routine (after breakfast, before bed, etc.).

  • Use visual cues: “Let’s read to the end of this page together.”

Consistency helps build focus over time — and signals to your child that reading is a calm, predictable part of their day.


5. Emotional Regulation

Reading can bring big feelings — pride, frustration, excitement, or fatigue. Regulating those emotions helps kids persevere and enjoy the process.

Try this at home:

  • Praise effort: “You worked so hard on that sentence!”

  • Take short breaks for movement or stretching.

  • Read stories that model emotional awareness — books about kindness, patience, or bravery.


💛 How Reading Builds Executive Function — Naturally

The beautiful part? Reading strengthens executive functioning skills. Each time your child focuses on a story, recalls what happened, predicts what’s next, or manages their feelings, they’re practicing core cognitive habits that extend far beyond reading.


🐾 Finn’s Takeaway

Executive functioning is like your brain’s backpack — full of tools that help you on every reading adventure. By making reading joyful, consistent, and low-pressure, parents help children develop not only literacy skills but also the mental flexibility, focus, and confidence they’ll need for life.


✨ Try This Week’s Finn Challenge

🐶 “Memory Moments” Game — After reading a Finn book, or short story, ask your child to recall three things Finn did in the book. Then switch roles — you recall three things they did today!
It builds memory, language, and emotional connection in one playful moment.


📚 Continue the Journey

For more tips on building strong readers (and stronger brains), follow Finn on social media @FinnBooks or explore the full FinnBooks series. 💛

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