Some time ago, the parents of one of my 5-year-old students were concerned. Despite their little boy's brilliant intelligence, he struggled to learn to read at the same pace as his older brother did in Kindergarten. They invested a substantial amount of time attempting to practice with him at home. However, the situation was complicated – he couldn't sustain his attention, frequently became restless, his work and play area were persistently disorganized, and, from their perspective, the lessons never seemed to stick even though the repetitions and practice. They were convinced that this pointed towards Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
After attentively listening to their worries and blending the information they provided with that from the school, I realized that the issue was more likely tied to an absence or insufficient Executive Functions, so I started there.
When I shared my perspective with them, it was evident that they were unfamiliar with the term "executive functions/skills." That is when I provided them with some articles and book recommendations to help them learn a little about this topic. I also suggested looking for an occupational therapist who could work collaboratively with both the child and the parents to enhance these functions.
As time passed, I discovered a few months ago that this student - already a third grader - has made remarkable progress! He now stands among the brightest in his class, demonstrating improved reading skills, attention, and concentration. Most importantly, he has developed a wonderful enjoyment of learning.
I learned about Executive Functions while specializing in Learning Disorders. Though I had some prior knowledge, my expertise has increased and, while I am not an expert, I will share examples of how executive function deficits may impact learning to read during the first stages of this process in a Spanish Immersion Program. I will also suggest some strategies that may help students improve them. My goal is to provide practical guidance for parents and teachers.
So, here we go. There are many Executive Functions with much relevance in the process of reading and learning in general. Explaining each one of them in detail would take us pages; but for this purpose, the chart below shows just four of them that I consider crucial for the early stages of learning to read in the Spanish Immersion Classroom: working memory, inhibition, flexibility, and self-control. Enjoy!
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