EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS

Flexibility

Flexibility involves the capacity to improvise, shift approaches, and be adaptable to the demands of a situation.  Developing novel strategies and shifting attention from one task to another is often necessary.  Recognition of the need to utilize different problem-solving strategies, including reflective, careful approaches or a trial-and-error/random approach is seen in flexibility.

Flexibility is often utilized in social situations and in dealing with peers.  It is an important part of a child's ability to transition between activities.  It helps individuals to deal with disappointments and shifting expectations.  It helps children deal with unexpected events and changes in routines.

Skillful application of flexibility is seen in children who:

• Are able to think on their feet and adapt readily to new situations.
• Do well with transitions such as leaving game play to sit down at dinnertime.
• Are able to wait their turn so a younger child can have a first opportunity to do something.
• Recognize that they may need to practice something rather than be able to learn it after the first attempt.
• Are able to deal with disappointment when losing a game or when expectations change suddenly.
• Are able to view situations from another’s perspective.

Unskilled use of flexibility is seen in children who:

• Experience significant problems with changes, transitions, and new situations.
• Get stuck by utilizing the same ineffective strategies of problem solving that did not work for them in the past.
• Become insistent and indignant in situations inappropriately.
• Become angry when given feedback that they are wrong.
• Have difficulty in understanding the differing expectations of parents and teachers.
• Continue to be "stuck" or think about something that was said to them in the past.
• Cannot change plans readily.

Flexibility Games

Flexible problem solving is routinely required for mastering digital technologies and games. Watch children figure out how to use their (or your) cell phones. They push buttons, make mistakes, and learn what works. Success in gaming requires an understanding that the rules may change, requiring many different strategies to “beat” the game. 

In game play, children often need to shift from a strategy that worked earlier in a game to a more complex or different approach in later phases of the game. The capacity to reevaluate the use of a game-based strategy in a rapid fashion (e.g., collecting coins, building ladders, simultaneously running and jumping) from one game situation to another is crucial to success. Similarly, the recognition that one must make and learn from one’s mistakes is often a key component for computer and video games mastery. 

Game play helps children develop better flexibility when they practice skills such as:

• Identifying where one must change approaches and improvise.
• Changing a previously successful strategy that no longer works.
• Developing awareness when new game situations arise and then developing strategies that are appropriate for them.

Parent Tips:

Many kids appear to be intuitive when programming a digital camera or recording a television show on TIVO. Ask them to help you, but, more importantly, to articulate their problem-solving strategies. 

Ask children to program your cell phone (special rings for them, pictures, alarms). Observe them and ask how they have learned from making mistakes and trying out new strategies.

Play a video game in front of children. When you get stuck (which you will), talk out loud about your new approaches. When you ask children for help, encourage them to think about how they figured out how to try a new strategy.

Games and digital technologies to enhance flexibility (click the links below to
view playbooks -- digital play game guides):

• All Aboard
• Luffershack
• Bejeweled 2
• Big Brain Academy
• Trivia Archer
• Mind Quiz
• Guitar Hero 2
• Puzzle Quest
• Rayman: Raving Rabbids
• Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
• Trauma Center: Second Opinion
• WarioWare: Smooth Moves