Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom

Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start
First Edition
Mitch Weathers - Founder and CEO, Organized Binder
Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom
February 2026 | 112 pages | Corwin
Create Flyer

Purchase

eBook
ISBN: 9798348809959
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9798348809935
Available from May 2026

Description

Ensure every child thrives during the critical early years of learning

Every day in primary classrooms, teachers navigate a familiar challenge: Some learners seem naturally ready for school routines while others struggle to follow directions, stay organized, or manage their impulses. The difference often isn't about a student’s ability or behavior—it's about executive functions, the cognitive processes that promote attention, memory, and adaptability. 

Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom provides the knowledge and practical strategies teachers need to support all children in developing these critical skills. The authors translate complex research into actionable classroom practices, showing you how to create learning environments where working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility flourish. This book completes the K–12 series, alongside Mitch Weathers's bestselling Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3–12.

What makes this book essential:

  • Research-backed strategies that translate complex cognitive science into simple, actionable classroom practices
  • Real classroom scenarios showing how executive function challenges play out in daily learning and demonstrating practical solutions that work
  • Practical suggestions to reduce interference and increase automaticity, helping all students access learning more effectively
  • Embedded implementation that fits seamlessly into your existing routines and instruction without adding extra work

Research shows that strong executive functions in the early years help close opportunity gaps, leading to better academic outcomes and improved reading and math skills. Whether you're assisting a kindergartner learning to unpack their backpack independently or supporting a third grader through multi-step problem-solving, this book provides the foundation you need to build self-regulated learners who are truly ready for school and beyond.

Contents

Foreword by Zach Groshell

Foreword by Zach Groshell

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction

Introduction

Chapter 1: Understanding Executive Functions

Chapter 1: Understanding Executive Functions

Chapter 2: Executive Function Challenges

Chapter 2: Executive Function Challenges

Chapter 3: Supporting Executive Functions

Chapter 3: Supporting Executive Functions

Chapter 4: Establishing Targeted Routines

Chapter 4: Establishing Targeted Routines

Chapter 5: Implementing Strategic Instruction

Chapter 5: Implementing Strategic Instruction

Chapter 6: Creating Supportive Environments

Chapter 6: Creating Supportive Environments

Chapter 7: Awareness and Empowerment

Chapter 7: Awareness and Empowerment

Signing Off

Signing Off

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

Description

Ensure every child thrives during the critical early years of learning

Every day in primary classrooms, teachers navigate a familiar challenge: Some learners seem naturally ready for school routines while others struggle to follow directions, stay organized, or manage their impulses. The difference often isn't about a student’s ability or behavior—it's about executive functions, the cognitive processes that promote attention, memory, and adaptability. 

Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom provides the knowledge and practical strategies teachers need to support all children in developing these critical skills. The authors translate complex research into actionable classroom practices, showing you how to create learning environments where working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility flourish. This book completes the K–12 series, alongside Mitch Weathers's bestselling Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3–12.

What makes this book essential:

  • Research-backed strategies that translate complex cognitive science into simple, actionable classroom practices
  • Real classroom scenarios showing how executive function challenges play out in daily learning and demonstrating practical solutions that work
  • Practical suggestions to reduce interference and increase automaticity, helping all students access learning more effectively
  • Embedded implementation that fits seamlessly into your existing routines and instruction without adding extra work

Research shows that strong executive functions in the early years help close opportunity gaps, leading to better academic outcomes and improved reading and math skills. Whether you're assisting a kindergartner learning to unpack their backpack independently or supporting a third grader through multi-step problem-solving, this book provides the foundation you need to build self-regulated learners who are truly ready for school and beyond.

Contents

Foreword by Zach Groshell

Foreword by Zach Groshell

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction

Introduction

Chapter 1: Understanding Executive Functions

Chapter 1: Understanding Executive Functions

Chapter 2: Executive Function Challenges

Chapter 2: Executive Function Challenges

Chapter 3: Supporting Executive Functions

Chapter 3: Supporting Executive Functions

Chapter 4: Establishing Targeted Routines

Chapter 4: Establishing Targeted Routines

Chapter 5: Implementing Strategic Instruction

Chapter 5: Implementing Strategic Instruction

Chapter 6: Creating Supportive Environments

Chapter 6: Creating Supportive Environments

Chapter 7: Awareness and Empowerment

Chapter 7: Awareness and Empowerment

Signing Off

Signing Off

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

SAGE Publishing Logo

Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom

Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start


February 2026 | 112 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 09/10/2025 9798348809935 $30.95
Lifetime 13/04/2025 9798348809959 $28.00

Ensure every child thrives during the critical early years of learning

Every day in primary classrooms, teachers navigate a familiar challenge: Some learners seem naturally ready for school routines while others struggle to follow directions, stay organized, or manage their impulses. The difference often isn't about a student’s ability or behavior—it's about executive functions, the cognitive processes that promote attention, memory, and adaptability. 

Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom provides the knowledge and practical strategies teachers need to support all children in developing these critical skills. The authors translate complex research into actionable classroom practices, showing you how to create learning environments where working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility flourish. This book completes the K–12 series, alongside Mitch Weathers's bestselling Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3–12.

What makes this book essential:

  • Research-backed strategies that translate complex cognitive science into simple, actionable classroom practices
  • Real classroom scenarios showing how executive function challenges play out in daily learning and demonstrating practical solutions that work
  • Practical suggestions to reduce interference and increase automaticity, helping all students access learning more effectively
  • Embedded implementation that fits seamlessly into your existing routines and instruction without adding extra work

Research shows that strong executive functions in the early years help close opportunity gaps, leading to better academic outcomes and improved reading and math skills. Whether you're assisting a kindergartner learning to unpack their backpack independently or supporting a third grader through multi-step problem-solving, this book provides the foundation you need to build self-regulated learners who are truly ready for school and beyond.


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by Zach Groshell
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1: Understanding Executive Functions
  • Chapter 2: Executive Function Challenges
  • Chapter 3: Supporting Executive Functions
  • Chapter 4: Establishing Targeted Routines
  • Chapter 5: Implementing Strategic Instruction
  • Chapter 6: Creating Supportive Environments
  • Chapter 7: Awareness and Empowerment
  • Signing Off
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"This text is the long-overdue breath of fresh air teachers didn’t realize they were waiting for. The authors draw on their own classroom experiences to respectfully tap into teachers’ prior implicit knowledge about working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. They then provide helpful frameworks to understand, anticipate, and respond to executive function challenges in the classroom context. Teachers will not need to make big conceptual leaps from the pages of this book to their own classrooms. The authors 'talk the talk and walk the walk,' marrying theory and practice in ways that will be transformative for teachers at all stages of their careers."
Pamela Snow, Professor of Cognitive Psychology at School of Education, La Trobe University
"This book is absolutely brilliant, an instant modern classic in the field of education. It is simply one of the best books I've read to support teachers in the classroom. It focuses on a subject that is relevant to all, explained with clarity and concrete examples. Sarah and Mitch are the perfect pairing; each bringing their own experiences and expertise to each page. I can confidently recommend this book to educators regardless of the stage of their career they find themselves in, as there truly will be sage advice and practical takeaways for every educator."
Kate Jones, Senior Associate for Teaching and Learning at Evidence Based Education
"This book provides an accessible and critical resource for teachers. It showcases the importance of executive functions as the capacities that orchestrate successful learning. Mitch and Sarah's book skillfully integrates cognitive science principles, focusing on structuring routines, instruction, and environments to preserve your students' precious cognitive loads. If you are a K-3 educator, use this book to effectively reduce 'interference' and increase 'automaticity' in your classroom!"
Nathaniel Swain, PhD, Author of Harnessing the Science of Learning
"This book is a gem and deserves to be on every K-3 teacher’s desk. Oberle and Weathers identify the developmental skills, structures, and strategies that lead to success for all. They point out 'Many actions that appear as misbehavior, off-task tendencies, or academic struggle may be better understood as symptoms of still-developing executive functions…It’s important for educators to view these differences through a developmental lens rather than a deficit one.' When the authors discuss what is needed to support executive functions, rather than turning to the latest shiny object or program, they recommend that teachers focus instruction on 'modifying how you present learning and keep students engaged, an area completely within your sphere of influence.' Best yet, Oberle and Weathers provide examples, diagrams, anecdotes, and explanations that take us from insight to action at every step of the way."
Patrice M. Bain, Ed.S., Teacher and Author of of Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning
"Simply put, this book belongs in the hands of every elementary school teacher. The information and lessons presented are so valuable for growing students' abilities to learn successfully. There is no other book that so eloquently and effectively discusses the topic of executive functioning in our youngest learners. What a goldmine for elementary teachers to have this succinct text to help them better understand and assist their students."
Blake Harvard, Teacher and Author of Do I Have Your Attention?

Recommendations