Executive Functions: Rehabilitation and Promotion in Childhood

The focus of the chapter is on executive functions and strategies, programs, and approaches to stimulate them, both from a remedial and promotive perspective and with utility in clinical and school settings. The chapter presents executive skills and their development, highlighting that children with deficits in these skills may face academic, social, and emotional difficulties. The authors point out that rehabilitation and habilitation of executive functions involve interventions that modify the environment, teach executive skills, and motivate using these skills. Among the approaches that are used, they mention computerized training, computerized and non-computerized games, aerobic exercise, martial arts, mindfulness practices, school curricula, and supplemental curriculum programs. The chapter summarizes evidence in the area and some strategies and tips for stimulating executive skills for different age groups.