Helping Children Take That First Step: Why Executive Functions Matter at Lumina International School
At Lumina, we often remind families that big journeys begin with small steps. And for young children, one of the most important steps they can take is learning how to start — how to organise themselves, focus, plan, and persist. These abilities, known as executive functions, are the foundation for confident, independent learners.
Executive functions include skills such as memory, attention, emotional regulation, task initiation, and time management. They are essential for learning… yet they are rarely taught explicitly in most schools.
Why we teach executive functions from the earliest years
In our multilingual, inquiry-based environment, children face new challenges every day. Whether they are exploring a science concept, collaborating with peers, or navigating three languages, they rely heavily on executive functions to make sense of their world.
This is why our approach places strong emphasis on:
1. Learning how to begin — and reducing overwhelm
Many children struggle not because a task is too hard, but because they don’t know where to start.
Our teachers break tasks into manageable steps and model simple routines:
“First… then… next…”
With this structure, children feel more capable and less anxious. They move from hesitation to action, gaining confidence along the way.
2. Building focus and self-regulation in a stimulating world
Attention spans are under pressure in today’s fast, digital environment.
Through hands-on projects, movement-based activities, outdoor learning, and predictable classroom rhythms, children learn to:
manage distractions,
stay engaged for longer stretches,
recognise and regulate their emotions,
and pause before reacting.
These are life skills—far beyond academics.
3. Developing a growth mindset
Executive functions naturally support a growth mindset.
When children set small goals, monitor their progress, and reflect on what they learned, they discover that effort and strategies matter more than immediate success.
Challenges become opportunities, not obstacles.
What this looks like at Lumina
In every class—from Nursery to Kindergarten—executive functions are woven into daily life:
tidying up and organising materials
planning a simple activity
following multi-step instructions
documenting discoveries with drawings or photos
discussing solutions with peers
managing transitions between languages
These routines help children feel capable, responsible, and proud of what they can do “all by myself”.
A skill for life, not just for school
If we want children to thrive academically and socially, we must teach them not only what to learn, but how to learn.
At Lumina, executive function development is just as essential as learning to read or count. It is part of how we foster autonomy, resilience, and joyful curiosity.
When children learn to take that first step—one clear, well-planned step—they begin a journey of lifelong confidence. And we are here to walk beside them, every step of the way.