Executive function skills are the brain-based processes we use to control our thoughts, actions and feelings. They predict achievement and well-being, and we can nurture them in children starting in infancy. This talk uses a simple tree metaphor to demonstrate how we can tend to reflection and executive function skills in early childhood from the roots up, setting all children up for success.

Filmed September 20th, 2020 at Mia in Minneapolis. Dr. Stephanie M. Carlson is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, and is Co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Reflection Sciences, Inc. Dr. Carlson is an internationally recognized leader in the study of executive function (brain basis of self-control) and her current research focuses on ways to help promote executive function through reflective practices in play, parenting, and preschool curricula. She has been an advisor to Sesame Workshop, Understood.org, Noggin, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, and Minnesota Children’s Museum. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx