Promoting Regulation and Flexibility in Thinking

This concise guide introduces the importance of executive function for social and emotional well-being and effective learning. It clearly explains the research that underpins important topics such as working memory, organization, self-regulation, attention and cognitive flexibility, and how they apply to the real-world settings in which we work with children, adolescents, and families. This engaging book offers knowledge and strategies for improving executive function together with an understanding of its relevance for diverse populations. The authors use the most current research to provide an overview of what executive function is, how it develops, and how it works in coordination with other developmental factors to promote regulation and flexibility in thinking. Chapters contain detailed information about the biological and physiological foundations for brain development and emotion regulation, as well as advances in cognition, emotion, and social relationships. Making the research accessible to all with evidence-based writing and theory-to-practice applications, the book provides applications with career contexts and interviews and case studies that bring the book to life. Designed to introduce professionals, advocates, and parents to the importance of executive function in human development, this book is for all those working with children and young people. It will also be of interest as an introductory text for those new to the field or as a way to learn to apply developmental principles in practice.

Kristen M. Weede Alexander is a Child and Adolescent Development Professor at California State University, Sacramento. She received her Ph.D. in Human Development from the University of California, Davis in 2002 and her current research interests are in stress, coping, and memory in context. Karen M. Davis O'Hara serves as the Executive Dean of Sierra College (Nevada County Campus), having formerly been a Professor of Child Development and administrator in the College of Education at California State University, Sacramento. She received her Ph.D. in Human Development from University of California, Davis, and her research focuses on emotion regulation.

Foreword Preface Introduction 1 Executive Function and Human Development: Control, Biology, and Regulation 2. Thinking, Learning, and Development of Executive Function 3. Foundations for Emotional Development and Regulation 4. Social Cognition: The Interface between Cognitive and Social-Emotional Development 5. Applications of Executive Function within Careers that Involve Direct Work with Children, Adolescents, and Families 6. Advocating for Developmentally Appropriate Policy, Outreach, and Well-being References