EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS

Organization

Organization involves the capacity to arrange elements into a functioning whole.  It involves the ability conceptually to organize all facets of an activity to create a unified approach.  Organizing involves a systematic approach that facilitates goal-directed behavior.  It may involve sequencing, analysis of a complex situation, and promotes efficiency and task completion.

Organization involves taking care of one’s schedule, as well as materials necessary to complete a task.  Organization often requires that one is able to obtain necessary information, make it accessible, and then be able to use it for decision making. 

Skillful application of organization is seen in children who:

• Are readily able to find materials for homework or studying.
• Put their bookbags, clothing, and other materials in a regular place.
• Are able to work systematically on longer projects such as writing an essay or a book report.
• Are able to organize their written work.
• Are able to organize schoolwork and other activities.
• Keep track of their commitments, homework, and responsibilities.

Unskilled use of organization is seen in children who:

• Frequently lose their homework between school and the classroom.
• Keep their rooms extremely messy, often covering the floor with clothing.
• Are unable to find clothing, sporting equipment, or books when they are needed.
• Have a great deal of difficulty in putting together their thoughts in written assignments.
• Have disorganized backpacks and school lockers.
• Lose money, keys, cellphones, or electronic devices.
• Start projects such as homework, recipes, or chores without having the right materials on hand.

Organization Games

Organizational skills are important for success in many video and computer games and are supported by several digital technologies. Many games require collecting items or tokens in order to acquire a new skill or capacity. Children frequently need to remember not only what they need to collect, but also that they need to have a certain type or number of items. They often need to utilize a systematic approach in searching or completing a game level. Game play often requires that children complete an entire sequence of events before moving on in the game. Children may also need to combine strategies from past levels and apply them to later levels in the game.

Digital technologies such as cell phones, personal digital assistants, and iPods provide opportunities to practice and support organizational skills. Organizing a contact list or play list, arranging one’s schedule, or keeping an active “to do” list are all readily accomplished on a range of hand-held digital technologies.

Games and digital technology play help children develop better organization when they practice skills such as:

• Learning to categorize items or activities within a game.
• Completing game tasks in a particular sequence in order to move forward.
• Keeping track of what has been accomplished within a game so that efforts can be put forth in new areas.

Parent Tips:

If children play a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG), ask them to describe what they have collected/acquired in a game and how this will affect them in future levels.

Ask children to describe and categorize different games that they play. Have them organize games into role-playing, adventure, puzzle/problem-solving, or other types of games.

Ask children to help you organize your contact list on your cell phone or e-mail service provider. Encourage them to “think out loud” about how you might create groupings or other strategies to enhance accessibility. 

Games and digital technologies to enhance organizational skills:

• Animal Crossing: Wild World
• Harvest Moon DS
• Puzzle Quest
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
• Traveling Salesman
• Vector TD
• Final Fantasy
• World of Warcraft