In the rapidly evolving field of educational neuroscience, advanced neuroimaging technologies play a pivotal role in unraveling the complexities of how executive functions (EFs) develop during the early and critical stages of childhood. This chapter reviews the development of EF—the cognitive skills of working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control—and its neural basis, particularly the prefrontal cortex. Neuroimaging studies, using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy), reveal a protracted maturation of the prefrontal and frontoparietal networks that support EF from early childhood through adolescence. Individual differences in EF arise from a complex interplay between genetic factors, like the COMT gene polymorphism, and environmental influences, such as socioeconomic status and parenting. This review also explores interventions designed to enhance EF. Recent studies incorporating neuroimaging demonstrate that training, physical exercise, and mindfulness can improve EF not only behaviorally but also by modulating prefrontal cortex activity. This neuroscientific approach provides crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying EF improvements, guiding the development of more effective, evidence-based support for children.