TAKE-HOME STRATEGY

Supporting Cognitive Flexibility at Home

Aerial view of child-sized shoes beside backpack

What It's About

Cognitive Flexibility is the ability to change our thinking when needed. It’s adjusting to something new, trying a different way, or dealing with a change in plans. Young children are just beginning to learn how to shift their thinking, so even small changes may be hard. That is why something like having to pick a different shirt can sometimes lead to strong emotions. Developing the ability to change thinking takes time and practice.

You can support your child by talking about change, helping them think of things in a different way, and providing support as they practice adapting to something new.

ACTIVITY CHOICE BOARD

Here are some ways you can support Cognitive Flexibility at home. Keep in mind that you can change these activities to work for you and your child, based on their current abilities, interests, and what you have available at home.

Take a look, and try out your favorites!

Let's Pretend

Help your child think of ways they can use household items in new, fun ways during pretend play. For example: pretend that a brush is a microphone for performing a concert, or that a rug is a magic flying carpet.

Pop the Bubbles

Blow bubbles or set up a bubble machine. Ask your child to try to pop each bubble before it hits the ground. Encourage children to come up with new ways to pop bubbles. For example, suggest they try using their feet.

Find a Solution

Pose a problem and narrate how to come up with a solution. Try out different ideas until something works. For example, “The ball is stuck in a tough spot. How can we get to it?”

Dance Party

Create dances that prompt children to shift their focus and attention, such as dance and freeze or Simon Says. Your child will have to move their bodies in different ways while switching movements.

Sock Sorting

Gather a variety of different types of socks. Separate the pairs and mix them up into a pile. Encourage your child to sort the socks in different ways, such as by exact matches, colors, or patterns.

Change the Game

While playing a familiar game, add to or change the rules. For example, when playing catch, make a new rule that the ball must bounce before catching it. Or while rolling a ball to each other, clap between passes.

Quick Cues for Supporting Cognitive Flexibility

Some things you might do or say to help strengthen your child’s ability to think flexibly

Talk about Flexible Thinking

Describe what happens when you have to shift your thinking in-the-moment.

This can sound like:

“I see you are upset we can’t go outside. There’s a big storm. We can roll the balls inside!”

“That idea didn’t work so you are trying to figure out what to do next.”

“Hmmm. Well, I thought I would put this basket here, but it won’t fit. I’m going to think of a new place to put it.”

Prompt a Shift in Thinking

As children encounter difficulty, encourage them to think of things in a new way.

This can sound like:

“Can we try this way instead?”

“Have you tried turning it this way?”

“What do you think would happen if you…?”

Change the Play

Find ways to shift thinking during play without interrupting or taking over.

This can sound like:

“I see you moving your arms like a monkey! Monkeys like bananas, can you pretend to eat a banana?”

“Oh no! My dog is sick! Let’s take them to the veterinarian, the pet doctor.”

“We are all out of green paint for the grass. What can we do?”

Our Book Recommendations for Supporting Cognitive Flexibility

Engaging stories that support children’s flexible thinking
From Head to Toe book cover

From Head to Toe

Written and illustrated by Eric Carle, this book encourages children to think flexibly as they pretend to be different animals.

Have fun with it: 
In addition to the ways shown in the book, model or brainstorm different ideas for imitating animal movements.

Not A Box Cover

Not a Box

Written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis, this book is about a bunny whose imagination and creativity turns a box into everything but a box!

Have fun with it:
Find an empty, recycled box and pretend it is something different with your child.

More Strategies

We’re creating a library of resources like these so families can quickly and easily promote children’s development at home. Be sure to see all the strategies we have available!

visit our take-home strategy library