Keep plenty of books and magazines available at an age-appropriate reading level. Instruct children to write down unfamiliar terms as they read, then copy the definition from the dictionary. Assign learners to write a short story each week employing at least five of the new words they learned and conveying the meaning of these terms to the reader with context clues.
Complete crossword puzzles to build language abilities and cognitive flexibility. Using clues to solve for missing pieces creates multiple pathways in the brain to retrieve information, which improves problem-solving skills and increases mental speed.
Write a well-researched essay. Incorporate the goal-setting domain of executive function by writing a paper instructing the method of acquiring a new skill. Examples could include sewing, fishing, planting a garden or riding a bike. Explain the topic in a very detailed, step-by-step manner, defining subject-specific vocabulary and suggesting deadlines for completing each phase of the learning process.
Read aloud with a partner and pause periodically to ask questions or discuss events. This activity improves information processing by encouraging factual recall, building oral communication skills and promoting analysis of material through the breakdown of a story into underlying components of cause-and-effect, character development and applying existing knowledge to make logical predictions regarding future events.
Race with a partner to find out who can think of the most synonyms and antonyms to a supplied word within a time limit. This game will build vocabulary and improve attentional control by forcing a learner to focus on knowledge of word meanings and associations for a specific period of time.
Learn a new language. Compare and contrast grammar and spelling stems between English and the self-taught language. Memorize Latin and Greek roots in order to break down unfamiliar words and determine their meaning even when a dictionary is unavailable. The skill of acquiring a new language incorporates multiple strategies and learning methods which will improve executive function in all four domains.