The holidays place a heavy load on executive function. Changes in routine, increased sensory input, and social demands can overwhelm a child’s nervous system long before behavior changes appear. This article explains how holiday stress impacts regulation, why stress responses signal a need for support, and how interoception helps children recognize when their nervous system needs a break.

Beginning a task is much like getting a train rolling out of the station. The engine must warm up, the gears must align, and the signal lights must shift from red to green before the train can safely leave the platform. The illustration below shows plausible reasons a child/train may become overwhelmed. Remember, in The Executive Function Express program, you must consider all behavior as a need that is not being met, rather than judging it as "good or bad." When we label a c

Inhibition is a key executive function that helps children pause, think, and choose appropriate responses over impulsive ones. In this article, we explore how developing this vital skill supports emotional control, learning, and behavior regulation across settings.