The Executive Functions Game

The Executive Functions Game, nominated for the NOT 2021 audience award. Students playfully practice executive skills in primary and secondary education.

Thinking before you do or say something, being able to control your emotions, being flexible when things don't go as expected, making sure you finish your work, having the right materials with you at certain times, persevering even when things are disappointing... In all these situations, you use your executive functions. Developing these functions brings peace and order to your mind.

We believe it's important for students to practice executive skills from a young age, partly consciously. That's why we developed this game. Through play, students practice the 11 executive functions to gradually acquire executive skills. Keep in mind: students almost never practice one isolated executive skill. However, only one is central to each task or question.

Good development of executive skills significantly influences school performance. It is even a better predictor of school success than intelligence. A good reason to start with the exercises and assignments.

What's in the game?
The game consists of:

• 1 game board
• 1 concise, clear manual
• 1 dice
• pawns
• 94 task cards
• 11 category cards (for all executive functions)
• 6 pass cards

The tasks are formulated to encourage students to act and playfully practice planning, attention, emotional regulation, flexibility, working memory, and perseverance.

How can you use the game?

• In small groups in the classroom
• During mentor lessons or citizenship moments
• In the enrichment class
• For 1-on-1 coaching
• As an accessible entry point for conversations about behavior and learning

The game aligns well with the Executive Functions Conversation Cards and can be used as a supplement or for deeper engagement.

For whom:
Students in groups 5, 6, 7, and 8 of primary education and lower secondary education students can work on the tasks described on the cards in groups. This game can also be used effectively for 1-on-1 coaching.