Talking with Your Teen

What are executive functions?

Executive functions act as the command centre of our thinking processes. They guide our attention, thoughts, behaviours, and emotions, playing a crucial role in all aspects of our lives, including managing work, daily activities, and relationships.

These skills develop throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, typically reaching full maturity around the age of 25. Everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses in their executive function skills. However, we can work on improving these skills and find strategies to support those that we find particularly challenging.

Cognitive Regulation

Getting started on tasks (task initiation skills ) refers to the ability to begin a task or activity when necessary without becoming distracted. Initiation skills also include the ability to independently come up with ideas and solutions.

Finishing tasks (task completion skills) refers to the ability to finish a task or activity on time. This includes finishing tests and tasks within time limits and keeping up a good pace throughout the task.

If getting started or getting things finished are things that really affects you, we recommend enrolling in the Task Initiation and Completion session/microlearning Session.