The Southport CoLAB Launches its Executive Function Blueprint for Parents + Educators
The following Q+A introduces the important work of the The Southport CoLAB, which is based in Southtport, CT. The CoLAB recently published The Executive Function Blueprint – A Practical Framework for the Classroom, which is full of fun and practical executive functioning activities for school and home!
Q: Please introduce our readers to The Southport CoLAB and discuss its connection to The Southport School.
The Southport School, also home to The Southport CoLAB.
A: The Southport CoLAB integrates research, practice, and advocacy to drive positive change in education. Its mission is to support all students by providing teachers access to the best research and evidence-based interventions to help their students learn and empowering parents with the knowledge to effectively advocate for their child’s needs. The Southport CoLAB shares the research and evidence-based practices developed at The Southport School through professional development opportunities and resources for educators.
The Southport School is an independent school for children with language-based learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD. This is where research and evidence-based practices are developed and utilized to provide effective instruction to cerebrodiverse students.
Q: The Southport CoLAB recently hosted a presentation about Executive Function (EF) that offered real-life examples of exercising Executive Function in real life – at home, at work, and in the classroom. Could you first define EF? Then, could you share a practical example of how we tap into our executive functioning daily?
A: At The Southport School, we define EF as the thought processes used to plan and direct activities. These skills play a vital role in how we manage our time, stay focused, and achieve goals, and we use them daily, often without even realizing it.
For example, think about running to the grocery store to do your shopping. You’ve got a lot to pick up. To avoid taxing your working memory, you make a list. Your list drives your planning as you enter the store because you know exactly where to go for each item. However, you must inhibit some impulses and pick up only the things you need, not those you don't, when they catch your eye. Before checking out, you review your cart and ask, Did I get everything I need?”- that’s monitoring your task. In this simple trip to the store, you’ve used multiple EF skills to accomplish your goal.
Q: The Southport School is an independent day school that provides a “more than” school experience to students with language-based learning differences, like dyslexia and attention issues. How do you teach students to improve their executive functioning skills in the classroom?
A: We help students strengthen their EF skills by immersing them in EF language and offering regular opportunities to flex those EF muscles throughout the school day. It starts with building awareness. We work with students to develop an understanding of their EF abilities and their importance. Through fun and engaging games and activities, students begin recognizing EF skills like inhibition, regulation, and working memory in action.
These experiences create a valuable metacognitive process - students not only use the skills but also reflect on how they’re using them. From there, we connect these EF skills to academic contexts. By consistently encouraging students to utilize and identify EFs during the school day, they become much more task-oriented, independent, and confident in their ability to manage challenges in and out of the classroom.
The Executive Function Blueprint by The Southport CoLAB.
Q: The CoLab recently released the book, The Executive Function Blueprint – A Practical Framework for the Classroom. Could you provide an overview of the book and discuss why the CoLab has authored its first book?
A: When we talked with educators and parents about EF, two themes emerged: most people had some understanding of EF, and all agreed that EF skills are important for success in school. The question they then posed was: What do we do with this information? The Executive Function Blueprint is our answer to that question. It offers a clear, practical framework for teaching EF skills in schools and is the result of more than 10 years of professional collaboration among teachers. The Blueprint marks The Southport CoLAB’s first book and reflects our deep commitment to sharing proven, research-based practices that help all students thrive.
Q: How could parents use this book to help their child with EF skills?
As lifelong teachers of their children, parents can use this book as a practical, accessible guide to support EF skill development in a non-intrusive and enjoyable way. Many of the games and activities featured in the book are easy to integrate into everyday life and provide natural opportunities for parents to help their children strengthen skills like planning, organization, and self-regulation. It is a resource that can help empower parents to support their child’s growth.
Q: Please share with us one example of the games that are recommended in the book, and what EFs it supports?
A: One of my all-time favorites that we played with our own children at the dinner table was, I'm Thinking of an Animal. As with many of the games in the book, it incorporates more than one EF skill. It is a true test of working memory as one must remember all of the questions asked and the responses given. As new and sometimes unexpected information is divulged, one may have to shift their mindset and begin thinking in a different direction if their possible animal was eliminated. In our house, this game was also a true test of inhibition. Even if you were positive you knew the correct animal, it was very important to stop and think before posing the next question or hearing the latest response, not to mention waiting for one’s turn! It's a very easy game the entire family can play, enjoying some time together while flexing those EF muscles.
Q: Please tell our readers how they can learn more about The Southport CoLAB.
A: The best way to learn more about The Southport CoLAB is by visiting www.southportcolab.org. There, you’ll find a wealth of resources and the latest updates on our initiatives. The site also includes contact information for our dedicated team of educators, all committed to sharing their knowledge to support as many children, parents, and educators as possible.