Why Executive Function Development is the Key to School Readiness

The Prime Minister has set an ambitious target: by 2028, 75% of children will be ‘school-ready’ by the time they finish Reception, achieving a “good level of development” as defined by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This milestone is one of six key priorities outlined to address national challenges, reflecting the growing recognition that early childhood development is the cornerstone of long-term success.

But what does it mean to be “school-ready,” and how can we ensure that children are truly prepared for the demands of formal education? At the heart of this conversation lies the development of executive functions (EF)—the skills that enable children to regulate emotions, stay focused, and adapt to challenges.

What Is School Readiness?

‘School readiness’ encompasses a wide range of competencies, from emergent literacy and numeracy to social skills and emotional regulation. According to the government, achieving this goal requires supporting children in the Prime and Specific areas of the EYFS, including communication, personal, social, and emotional development, as well as mathematics and literacy.

While traditional academic outcomes like counting and letter recognition are important, research shows that executive functions—such as planning, working memory, and self-regulation—are the hidden drivers of school readiness. These skills underpin a child’s ability to engage with learning, manage emotions, and build relationships, making them critical to achieving the government’s ambitious targets.

Executive Functions: The Foundation of Early Learning

Executive functions are often referred to as the “air traffic control system” of the brain. They help children manage impulses, focus attention, and adapt to new situations—all of which are essential for thriving in the classroom. The International Early Learning and Child Well-being Study (IELS) has highlighted the importance of self-regulation, empathy, and pro-social behaviour, all of which are deeply rooted in EF development.

Without these skills, even the most academically gifted children can struggle to meet the demands of school. Conversely, strengthening EF in the early years can help children build the resilience and adaptability needed to succeed.

Bridging the Gap: Practical Strategies

So how can we bridge the gap and meet the Prime Minister’s goal of 75% school readiness by 2028? At Connections in Mind, we believe the answer lies in empowering educators and parents with practical tools and training to nurture executive functions from an early age.

Early Years Practitioner Training

Our Early Years Practitioner Training equips educators with research-based strategies to build EF skills in young children. From creating predictable routines to integrating mindfulness practices, our training provides actionable steps to help children thrive.

Executive Function Character Cards

To make EF development relatable and engaging, we’ve developed Executive Function Character Cards. These playful resources introduce key skills through relatable characters like:

• Stop Spot, the dog who learns impulse control.
• Penny Planner, the squirrel who models planning and organisation.

Paired with activities and colouring pages, these cards bring EF concepts to life for young learners, fostering essential skills through play.

Body Scan Script

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for supporting self-regulation and emotional awareness. Our body scan script, designed specifically for young children, offers a simple, calming exercise to help them connect with their bodies and emotions. This practice can be seamlessly integrated into classroom routines or used at home to help children manage transitions and stress.

A Practical Guide for Educators: Developing Executive Functioning in the Early Years

For educators looking to deepen their understanding of executive function development, Dr. Rosalyn Muir’s book, Developing Executive Functioning in the Early Years, is an invaluable resource. The book introduces the SOWATT framework, a practical toolkit designed to help children develop skills like self-regulation, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.

Key insights from the book include:

• Executive functions are crucial for all children, not just those with learning difficulties.
• Practical, research-based strategies that align with contemporary goals, such as fostering student agency.
• Holistic approaches that seamlessly integrate EF development into daily routines and classroom activities.

By offering actionable steps and relatable examples, Dr. Muir’s book empowers educators to create environments where every child can flourish. This aligns perfectly with the government’s vision for school readiness and provides a roadmap for practitioners to meet ambitious national targets.

Looking Ahead to 2028

Meeting the Prime Minister’s target of 75% school readiness by 2028 is no small task, but it is achievable if we focus on the skills that matter most. Executive functions are the foundation upon which academic, social, and emotional development is built.

By investing in early years practitioner training, integrating EF-focused resources like our character cards, and embedding mindfulness into daily routines, we can help children build the skills they need to succeed—not just in school, but in life.

Let’s embrace this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the next generation, ensuring that every child enters school not only ready to learn but equipped to thrive.