The Surprising Link Between Executive Skills And Reading Comprehension

Do you struggle with reading comprehension? Are you easily overwhelmed with dense texts and find it difficult to remember key information while reading? If so, you may be surprised to learn that the root cause of your reading difficulties could lie in your executive skills.

What are Executive Skills?

Executive skills, also known as executive functions, refer to a set of cognitive processes that allow individuals to plan, organize, prioritize, and execute tasks effectively. These skills are crucial for navigating complex academic and real-world challenges.

Executive skills include abilities like attention control, inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and goal-directed persistence. They are responsible for helping individuals set goals, stay focused, manage time, regulate emotions, and make decisions.

Executive Skills and Reading Comprehension: A Guide for Educators

by Kelly B. Cartwright(1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2146 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	15 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The Role of Executive Skills in Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is not solely dependent on decoding words and understanding their meanings. It also requires the ability to connect information, make inferences, and retain key details. This is where executive skills come into play.

1. Attention Control: The ability to sustain attention while reading is crucial for comprehension. Without proper attention control, individuals may find their minds wandering, leading to missed information and a lack of understanding.

2. Working Memory: Working memory refers to the ability to hold and manipulate information in our minds. It is essential for comprehension as it allows individuals to keep track of multiple ideas, make connections, and remember relevant details while reading.

3. Cognitive Flexibility: Cognitive flexibility involves the ability to adapt and switch between different tasks or strategies. In reading comprehension, it helps individuals adjust their approach depending on the type of text, the complexity of the content, and their goals as readers.

4. Goal-Directed Persistence: Reading can be challenging, especially when the text is dense or unfamiliar. Goal-directed persistence is crucial for sticking with the reading task and persisting even when faced with difficulties. It helps readers overcome distractions and maintain their motivation to understand the text.

Improving Executive Skills for Better Reading Comprehension

Fortunately, executive skills can be developed and improved over time, leading to enhanced reading comprehension abilities. Here are some strategies to enhance executive skills:

1. Active Reading: Engage actively with the text by taking notes, asking questions, and summarizing key points. This helps improve attention control and working memory.

2. Metacognition: Develop metacognitive strategies, such as self-monitoring and self-reflection, to become aware of your comprehension processes. This allows you to make adjustments and improve cognitive flexibility.

3. Chunking: Break the text into smaller, manageable sections and focus on one chunk at a time. This enhances goal-directed persistence and helps prevent overwhelm.

4. Visualization: Create mental images while reading to aid comprehension and activate working memory. Visualizing key concepts or scenes can improve retention and understanding.

5. Practice Mindfulness: Cultivating mindfulness can improve attention control and reduce distractions while reading. Engage in mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or meditation before starting a reading session.

By focusing on developing and improving executive skills, you can enhance your reading comprehension abilities significantly. With practice and persistence, you'll find yourself more engaged and better able to understand and retain information from various texts.

Reading comprehension is not solely about decoding words; it also relies on the strength of executive skills. By understanding the link between executive skills and reading comprehension, you can take proactive steps to improve your executive functioning and become a more effective reader. Remember, it's never too late to enhance your skills and unlock the joy of immersive reading experiences!

Executive Skills and Reading Comprehension: A Guide for Educators

by Kelly B. Cartwright(1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2146 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	15 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

How do K-12 students become self-regulated learners who actively deploy comprehension strategies to make meaning from texts? This cutting-edge guide is the first book to highlight the importance of executive skills for improving reading comprehension. Chapters review the research base for particular executive functions--such as planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control--and present practical skills-building strategies for the classroom. Detailed examples show what each skill looks like in real readers, and sidebars draw explicit connections to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Reproducible planning and assessment forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.