Page 23 - Course 4 Skills and Strengths Part 2 Executive Function Skills

Skills that support helpful (pro-social & pro-learning) Behaviours

ATTENTIVENESS

RED AMBER GREEN

BLOCKING EXTERNAL UNHELPFUL OR UNRELATED THOUGHTS
I can ignore things which aren’t to do with the task I am doing, such as people walking into the room, people speaking,
noises, things moving outside of the window etc.
I can hold my attention on a task until it is finished. I do not get side-tracked by other things I see, hear, feel or smell. E.g.
when following an instruction, I keep focused until it is completed, not getting distracted by things going on around me.
BLOCKING INTERNAL UNHELPFUL OR UNRELATED THOUGHTS
DOING: I can keep my internal thoughts focused on the task I am doing. I can stop my mind wandering to other ideas and
topics.
READING: I can hold my attention on what I am reading or looking at, not letting any other thoughts into my mind.
LISTENING: I can hold my attention on what someone is saying, not letting any other thoughts into my mind.
PRIORITISING ATTENTION
I can keep my attention on the important, relevant information and can select this well.
ATTENTION RESILIENCE (LINKED TO EMOTIONAL REGULATION)
I can keep going and continue to control my attention on tasks which are a bit boring, repetitive or are hard for me.

FLEXIBLE ATTENTION (LINKED TO FLEXIBLE THINKING)
I can control my attention on tasks chosen for me by an adult, even if it is not something of great interest.
I can shift my attention when needed; e.g. I can focus on what someone is saying in group work and then to the teacher
giving a message to the class.