What comes to mind when you hear executive functioning?

Maybe staying organized or keeping a routine. While executive functioning does involve organization, it is much broader. It includes the skills we use to manage our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. These skills develop throughout our lives and, for children, grow through practice and modeling.

The good news? Executive functioning is a skill - and skills can grow!

Why Play Is Powerful for Building Executive Functioning Skills

For young children, play provides a natural way to practice. Through play, children learn to wait, follow directions, manage emotions, solve problems, and try again. These skills support children at home, at school, in relationships, and beyond.

Some children simply need more practice. They may struggle with transitions, frustration, remembering steps, waiting, or controlling impulses. This isn't a lack of ability - it is an opportunity to build a skill.

Supporting Executive Functioning Through Strategic Play

Theraplay offers one way to support this development through play. Its four areas - Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge - create opportunities to strengthen executive functioning while building connection between caregiver and child.

The goal isn't to turn play into a lesson. The relationship is at the center.

The Four Areas of Theraplay

Structure - You lead and explain what comes next. Structure games like Simon Says or Red Light, Green Light engages children in practicing attention and impulse control, all while playing.
Engagement - You stay connected and enjoy the game together. This area is not about doing the game right, but about shared experience. Taking turns being the leader while mirroring each other's motions is a simple way to engage with one another through play, while supporting skills of shifting attention and turn-taking.
Nurture - You offer comfort and encouragement when things get hard. Often, children cannot solve a problem by using their executive functioning skills when they’re upset. Coming to a regulated space first is important. Being present with your child in their emotions and reflecting your child’s emotions back to them is an easy way to help them build emotional language and learn that big feelings can be managed with support. Over time, these experiences help children build emotional regulation and frustration tolerance.
Challenge - You give your child a chance to try something new or difficult. Try a pillow obstacle course where you can’t touch the floor without a pillow stepping stone. When your child is stuck, don’t solve it for them but wonder with them, “that didn’t work, what else can we try?” Being with your child in challenge and helping them try other options builds problem solving, courage, and confidence.

Executive Functioning Skills Children Can Practice Through Play

You don't need special toys or a lot of time. A few minutes of strategic play can create opportunities to practice important skills that support executive and overall functioning:

“Stop and think.”
“Listen and remember.”
“Wait my turn.”
“Try another way.”
“Handle a big feeling.”
“Keep going when something is hard.”

How Theraplay and Executive Functioning Work Together

These four areas work together to create playful opportunities for children to build important skills while strengthening their connection with their caregiver.

The Relationship Is at the Heart of It All

The goal is not to turn play into a therapy session. The relationship is the heart. Through playful, connected interactions, caregivers can help children build executive functioning skills in a way that feels safe, supportive, and fun.

Here at Atlanta Wellness Collective, we want to help. For support, contact us or schedule an appointment online.

This blog post was written by Ansley Pridgeon.

This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct professional advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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