Early childhood is a crucial time for learning, and children develop a wide range of skills that help them understand the world and interact with others. A young child’s learning at this stage stretches far beyond academics as they build skills in problem-solving and reasoning, develop coordination, and strengthen their ability to communicate and express their thoughts. Socially, our little ones are also learning to share, take turns, and form new friendships, while emotionally, they explore different feelings and build resilience.

As children engage in a variety of activities, they also begin to develop executive functioning skills, which form a foundation for later success in school and life. These skills help with problem-solving, self-regulation, and adapting to new challenges, setting the stage for progressive and independent learning.

However, each child develops executive functioning skills at their own pace, influenced by factors such as temperament, environment, and early experiences. Sometimes, children may need extra support to strengthen specific skills that will benefit their learning journey. Identifying challenges early can allow for personalised support, improving both learning outcomes and overall well-being.

At CIS, the Early Years Learning Support Programme is dedicated to helping our little learners build big skills that promote learning, communication, positive relationships, and self-regulation. One of the features of the programme is the integration of dual-task activities, which is designed to enhance multitasking abilities and develop executive functioning skills in a fun and engaging way.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these executive functioning skills:

Working memory enables us to temporarily hold and manipulate information while performing a task. It’s like a mental notepad that helps you remember and use information for a short period. Children with weak working memory may struggle to execute instructions, plan and organise, or complete tasks that require multiple steps. Dual-task activities help strengthen working memory by requiring children to juggle multiple pieces of information at once. For instance, a child may be asked to remember a sequence of colours while rolling across a mat to replicate it on the other side of the room. In this task, the child must engage their cognition to recall the sequence while coordinating their movements to roll across the mat. This strengthens their ability to process, retain, and apply information.

Cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between tasks or thoughts, adjust to new information, and shift focus when necessary. A child with weak cognitive flexibility may have challenges with adapting to changes, transitioning from one task to another, problem-solving, or understanding different perspectives. Dual-task activities require children to continually adjust their attention and strategy as they navigate multiple demands. For example, when fixing a puzzle while balancing prone over an exercise ball, the child must adjust their strategy for maintaining balance while simultaneously figuring out how to complete the puzzle, switching between physical and cognitive challenges.

Inhibitory control is the ability to manage impulses and maintain focus, which can be particularly challenging during intense emotions like excitement, frustration, or anger. This crucial skill helps children pause and think before acting, and some children (and even adults) may require extra support to strengthen this skill. Children with weak inhibitory control may act impulsively, struggle to wait their turn, interrupt conversations, have difficulty following instructions, or find it hard to regulate their emotions. Dual-task activities help strengthen inhibitory control, self-regulation, and focus by challenging children to slow down and allocate attention efficiently to both tasks.

For example, a child may be asked to count while hopping on one foot. Initially, their instinct may be to either:

1. Hop like an excited bunny and forget the counting part, or
2. Focus so hard on counting that they topple over like a tiny, unbalanced flamingo.

However, with consistent practice, the child will soon learn that in order to succeed, they need to control their excitement for one task and slow down to switch between tasks efficiently. This practice helps children learn to manage their impulses and switch between tasks with greater self-control.

For parents and educators looking for practical ways tosupport their children, incorporating dual-task activities into daily routines can be a game changer.

Here are some activities you could try with your child:

Trampoline Tracking:
Get a small trampoline and place it against the wall. Stick/hang a visual tracking chart slightly above the child’s eye level. Ask your child to jump on the trampoline and call out the colours, letters, or numbers on the visual tracking chart.

Memory and Movement:
Tell your child a sequence of 3 to 4 numbers, colours, or letters. Ask them to move across the room (commando crawling, frog hopping, snaking, rolling) and then write down or call out the sequence once they reach the other side. This dual-task activity strengthens both working memory and auditory processing skills while developing coordination.

Puzzle/Sorting on the Ball:
Set up a puzzle or sorting task and ask your child to sort objects by colour or size while balancing prone over a ball. This activity sharpens problem-solving skills while improving core strength and coordination.

Walking and Reciting:
Have your child walk in a circle or across a beam while counting out loud or reciting the alphabet. This engages their working memory and attention, as they must track numbers or letters while focusing on balance and movement.

Building with Instructions:
Give your child step-by-step verbal instructions to build a structure with blocks. For example, “Place the red block on top of the blue one, then spin around. Place the green block next to the blue one then clap 2 times.” This activity strengthens working memory, listening skills, and the ability to switch between tasks.

What are the long term benefits? 
Incorporating dual-task activities into early childhood education is a powerful way to develop the executive functioning skills required to navigate an increasingly complex world with focus and adaptability. However, it’s important to provide these tasks in a supportive, gradual way that aligns with the child’s developmental stage.

As these skills develop and strengthen, the child gains greater confidence in managing tasks independently. Improved self-regulation and inhibitory control not only supports the child’s ability to engage in cooperative play, but also collaboration with others, and handling conflicts in a positive way. Perhaps the greatest gift of all is the belief in themselves. With every mastered task, the child’s confidence soars, and that sense of accomplishment fuels a lifelong love for learning and a fearless approach to new challenges.