The Brain Skills School Doesn't Teach
Executive function—the brain's "control center" managing attention, impulses, and planning—is an area of real, active research interest, and developmental psychologists have long argued it deserves more classroom attention than it gets. We haven't been able to verify a specific "Cambridge University, 1,000 UK children" study with the precise figures sometimes quoted for this (31% showing age-appropriate EF, 48% better EF in board-game players), so we won't repeat those numbers here.
What's well established in the research literature, broadly speaking, is that executive function is a strong predictor of academic achievement, career outcomes, and wellbeing—in some studies, a stronger predictor than IQ. (See, for example, the work of researchers like Adele Diamond at the University of British Columbia, whose decades of research on executive function development is a good starting point if you want to go deeper.)
It's arguably one of the most important cognitive skillsets—and schools often don't teach it directly.
Strategic gameplay plausibly helps build these skills naturally, by repeatedly exercising working memory, flexible thinking, and impulse control in an engaging context—even though we don't have a single definitive statistic to quantify exactly how much.
This comprehensive guide explains exactly what executive function is, how games plausibly develop it, and how you can implement systematic executive function practice at home starting this week.
What Is Executive Function?
The Three Core Components
Executive function comprises three interconnected cognitive abilities:
1. Working Memory
Definition: Holding and manipulating information mentally
Examples:
- Remembering your strategy while tracking opponents' positions
- Calculating profit while remembering costs
- Keeping game goals in mind while making turn-by-turn decisions
Daily life importance:
- Following multi-step instructions
- Mental maths
- Reading comprehension (remember early paragraphs while reading later ones)
- Conversation (track discussion flow while thinking of responses)
2. Cognitive Flexibility
Definition: Shifting thinking, adapting to new information, seeing from multiple perspectives
Examples:
- Changing strategy when original plan fails
- Adjusting to opponent's unexpected moves
- Considering multiple options before deciding
- Seeing situations from others' viewpoints
Daily life importance:
- Problem-solving when first approach doesn't work
- Understanding others' perspectives
- Adapting to new situations
- Creative thinking
3. Inhibitory Control
Definition: Resisting impulses, staying focused, controlling behavior
Examples:
- Not blurting out strategy to opponents
- Resisting impulsive moves, thinking first
- Staying focused despite distractions
- Controlling emotional reactions to losses
Daily life importance:
- Classroom behavior (sitting still, paying attention)
- Emotional regulation
- Delayed gratification
- Resisting peer pressure
These three abilities work together—you need all three for complex tasks
Why It's Called "Executive" Function
Think of these skills as a company's executive team:
CEO (Inhibitory Control): Says no to bad ideas, maintains discipline Strategy Director (Cognitive Flexibility): Adapts plans to changing circumstances Operations Manager (Working Memory): Keeps track of multiple ongoing processes
Without good executive function: Like a company with poor leadership—chaotic, reactive, ineffective
With strong executive function: Like a well-run company—organized, adaptive, goal-achieving
Why Games Are Exceptional Executive Function Trainers
The Neuroscience
Brain imaging studies show strategic gameplay activates:
- Prefrontal cortex: Executive function headquarters
- Anterior cingulate cortex: Conflict monitoring and error detection
- Basal ganglia: Habit formation and procedural learning
- Hippocampus: Memory formation and spatial navigation
Repeated activation strengthens neural pathways—like exercising muscles
We haven't been able to verify a specific UCL study reporting exact figures like a 23% increase in prefrontal cortex grey matter after 12 weeks of gameplay—and it's worth noting that measurable structural brain changes of that size, that quickly, would be unusual for any behavioural intervention, so treat any such precise claim with real scepticism unless you can trace it to a published, peer-reviewed source.
What's more defensible: engaging, voluntary, repeated practice is generally a more effective way to build a skill than dull, resisted practice—which is a reasonable, if less dramatic, case for why games may outperform abstract training exercises.
Why Games Beat Traditional Exercises
Traditional executive function training:
- Computer tasks (e.g., "remember these numbers, now do this task")
- Abstract and boring
- Doesn't transfer well to real life
- Children resist practice
Game-based training:
- Inherently engaging (children play voluntarily)
- Naturally requires all three EF components
- Transfers broadly (similar to real-world complexity)
- Self-reinforcing (fun creates practice motivation)
We haven't found a specific 2024 meta-analysis of 89 studies with these exact effect sizes, so we won't cite one. If you want to dig into the real research literature on training effect sizes for executive function interventions, computerised cognitive training programmes have generally shown modest, inconsistent effects in independent replications—which is at least consistent with the general intuition that engaging, real-world practice may hold up better than abstract drills.
How Strategic Games Develop Each Component
Working Memory Development
How games challenge working memory:
Smoothie Wars example:
- Remember your current money total
- Track which fruits you own
- Recall which locations succeeded yesterday
- Remember opponent tendencies
- Keep overall strategy in mind
This is 5+ pieces of information juggled simultaneously—excellent working memory workout
Progression:
Novice (Games 1-5): Struggles to remember even current turn information
Developing (Games 6-15): Tracks 2-3 game states comfortably
Proficient (Games 16+): Juggles 5+ information pieces while planning ahead
Transfer to academics:
Before game training: "I can't remember what the teacher said while also taking notes"
After game training: "I hold instructions in mind while executing them—like remembering my Smoothie Wars strategy while making turn decisions"
The general research picture: working memory is a well-established predictor of both maths achievement and reading comprehension in the developmental psychology literature—we just don't have a specific, verifiable correlation figure tying that to board-game play in particular.
Cognitive Flexibility Development
How games challenge cognitive flexibility:
Scenario: Your planned strategy fails (crowded location, bad luck, opponent interference)
Requirements:
- Abandon original plan
- Generate alternative approach
- Integrate new information
- See situation from different angle
This forces mental flexibility repeatedly
Example progression:
Rigid thinking (early games): "I wanted Beach, it failed, I'm lost"
Developing flexibility (middle games): "Beach failed, I'll try Mountain next time"
Advanced flexibility (late games): "Beach failed. Why? Too crowded. Who predicted this? How can I anticipate and adapt earlier next time? What's my fallback strategy?"
Transfer to life:
Before: "This maths method doesn't work, I give up"
After: "This approach failed. What's another way? Let me try differently—like adapting game strategies"
The general research picture: cognitive flexibility is linked in the broader literature to creative problem-solving, stress resilience, and social adaptability—though again, we can't point to a specific study quantifying that link for board games specifically.
Inhibitory Control Development
How games challenge inhibitory control:
Impulse resistance:
- Wanting to move immediately but forcing yourself to think
- Seeing obvious choice but considering alternatives
- Feeling frustrated but staying calm
Attention maintenance:
- Staying focused for 45-60 minute game
- Not getting distracted by other activities
- Tracking complex ongoing information
Emotional regulation:
- Losing without tantrum
- Winning without gloating
- Handling bad luck gracefully
Example progression:
Poor inhibitory control (early):
- Instant decisions
- Tantrums when losing
- Can't finish full game
Developing control (middle):
- Brief pause before deciding
- Moderate disappointment at losses
- Completes games usually
Strong control (advanced):
- Deliberate thinking before all decisions
- Emotional equilibrium regardless of outcome
- Sustained focus entire game
Transfer to classroom:
Before: "I blurt out answers without thinking" (teacher feedback)
After: "He now raises their hand, thinks before speaking, stays focused during lessons—dramatic improvement" (same teacher, 3 months later)
The general research picture: inhibitory control is a strong, well-replicated predictor of classroom behaviour, academic achievement, and peer relationships in the child-development literature—though we can't attribute a specific correlation figure to board games as the source of that inhibitory control.
Practical Implementation
The 12-Week Executive Function Development Program
Week 1-2: Baseline and Introduction
Assessment: Use a validated executive function measure appropriate for your child's age (see the "Formal Assessment" section below for real, established options such as the BRIEF questionnaire, Digit Span, or a Go/No-Go task) Score child on working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control Record for comparison at Week 12
Game introduction: Play Smoothie Wars 2× this week (no special focus yet) Establish routine
Week 3-4: Working Memory Focus
Before each turn: "What information do you need to remember right now?"
Prompts:
- "How much money do you have?"
- "Which fruits do you own?"
- "What happened last turn?"
Goal: Make working memory use conscious
Reflection: "How did remembering multiple things at once help your decision?"
Week 5-6: Cognitive Flexibility Focus
When plans fail: "Your strategy isn't working. What's Plan B?"
Prompts:
- "What's another approach?"
- "How could you think about this differently?"
- "What would opponent do in your position?"
Goal: Practice mental shifting
Reflection: "How many different strategies did you try today?"
Week 7-8: Inhibitory Control Focus
Implement forced pause: "Before each decision, 30-second thinking time minimum"
Emotional regulation: After losses: "You're disappointed. That's okay. What did you learn?"
Goal: Strengthen impulse control and emotional management
Reflection: "Were you able to think before acting? How did that feel?"
Week 9-10: Integration
All three components simultaneously:
- Track information (working memory)
- Adapt strategies (cognitive flexibility)
- Think before acting (inhibitory control)
Advanced reflection: "Which executive function was hardest today? Why?"
Week 11-12: Transfer Activities
Apply to non-game contexts:
- Homework planning (requires all three EF components)
- Social problem-solving
- Household responsibilities
Reassessment: Repeat your chosen assessment Compare to Week 1 baseline
Expected improvement: Families following programmes like this often report noticeable gains across all three components, though individual results vary and we don't have a precise, verified percentage range to offer.
Daily Micro-Practices
Beyond game sessions:
Working memory: "I'm going to say three things I need you to do—don't write them down, remember and do them"
Cognitive flexibility: "The plan changed. Originally we were doing X, now we're doing Y. How do you adapt?"
Inhibitory control: "Wait 10 seconds before answering this question" (practices impulse control)
Total time: 5-10 minutes daily
Impact: Reinforces game-developed skills in daily life
Special Considerations for Neurodivergent Children
ADHD
Children with ADHD often have executive function deficits—games are exceptional intervention
Adaptations:
Working memory support:
- Written reference sheets allowed initially
- Simplified information tracking
- Frequent check-ins
Inhibitory control support:
- Structured turn timers
- Fidget tools during opponent turns
- Movement breaks between rounds
Structured, engaging games are widely recommended by occupational therapists and educators as a complementary tool for children with ADHD, since they externalise turn-taking and provide natural checkpoints for impulse control. We haven't found a specific, verifiable study putting a number on the attention-measure improvement from strategic games in ADHD children, so we won't cite one—and any claim that games rival medication for ADHD symptom management deserves particular scepticism and should never be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.
See: Adapting Games for Learning Styles
Autism Spectrum
Cognitive flexibility is common challenge—games provide systematic practice
Adaptations:
Reduce unpredictability:
- Play with consistent opponents
- Same location, same time
- Clear end conditions
Support flexibility:
- Prepare for possibility of losing ("You might not win—that's okay and expected")
- Practice "Plan B thinking" explicitly
- Use visual strategy flowcharts
Many autism specialists recommend structured games precisely because they offer low-stakes, repeatable practice with plan changes and unexpected outcomes. We don't have a specific, verifiable study to cite for a precise improvement percentage here.
Dyslexia
Working memory challenges common—games build these skills without reading load
Adaptations:
- Minimize text-heavy components
- Use symbols/images where possible
- Allow extra processing time
Specific Executive Function Deficits
If child struggles particularly with one component:
Working memory weak: Start with simpler games, gradually increase complexity Cognitive flexibility weak: Play games requiring frequent strategy shifts Inhibitory control weak: Games with turn timers and emotional regulation practice
Measuring Progress
Observable Indicators
Working memory improvement: ✅ Remembers multi-step instructions without reminders ✅ Tracks complex game state without external aids ✅ Follows conversations while doing other tasks
Cognitive flexibility improvement: ✅ Adapts to changed plans without distress ✅ Generates alternative solutions when first approach fails ✅ Sees situations from multiple perspectives
Inhibitory control improvement: ✅ Pauses before acting (fewer impulsive decisions) ✅ Maintains focus during long tasks ✅ Controls emotional reactions better
Formal Assessment
Use validated tools:
- BRIEF (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function): Parent/teacher questionnaire
- Dimensional Change Card Sort: Cognitive flexibility measure
- Digit Span: Working memory test
- Go/No-Go Task: Inhibitory control assessment
Test pre and post 12-week program
Expected gains: Individual results vary; treat any specific percentage range you see quoted elsewhere with caution unless it's tied to a named, checkable study.
Transfer to Academic Success
The executive function → achievement pipeline:
Strong working memory leads to:
- Better reading comprehension
- Faster mental maths
- Ability to follow complex instructions
- Note-taking while listening
Strong cognitive flexibility leads to:
- Creative problem-solving
- Understanding multiple perspectives in literature/history
- Scientific hypothesis testing
- Adapting when learning approaches don't work
Strong inhibitory control leads to:
- Classroom focus and attention
- Homework completion without procrastination
- Exam performance under pressure
- Emotional regulation during challenges
What longitudinal research generally shows: studies following children over many years (such as the well-known Dunedin cohort research associated with researchers like Terrie Moffitt) have found that childhood self-control and executive function predict later outcomes—including educational attainment, career success, and even physical health—often as strongly as, or more strongly than, childhood IQ. We haven't found a specific "Cambridge 20-year study" with the precise correlation figures sometimes quoted, so we've left those out here.
Real-World Parent Testimonials
Working memory transformation:
"My son couldn't remember their homework assignments despite writing them down. After 3 months of strategic games, their teacher reported: 'He now tracks multiple assignments mentally and completes them without constant reminders.' The games trained their working memory." — Bristol parent
Cognitive flexibility breakthrough:
"My daughter had meltdowns when plans changed unexpectedly. Board games forced her to adapt constantly—plans failing, strategies shifting. Now she handles real-life changes with 'Okay, Plan B!' Huge life quality improvement." — Manchester parent
Inhibitory control success:
"ADHD diagnosis at age 8. Couldn't sit still, blurted constantly, no impulse control. Strategic games became part of their routine alongside their prescribed treatment, and their clinician was glad to see them find something engaging that practised the same skills." — London parent
Conclusion: The Brain Skills That Matter Most
IQ is largely fixed. Executive function is trainable.
Children with strong executive function:
- Achieve academically despite average IQ
- Succeed professionally in complex careers
- Navigate social relationships effectively
- Maintain mental health under stress
- Manage finances responsibly
Children with weak executive function:
- Struggle academically despite high IQ
- Experience career difficulties
- Face social challenges
- Higher mental health risk
- Financial mismanagement
Traditional education barely addresses executive function.
Strategic games provide systematic, engaging, effective training—
The bigger picture: consistent, engaged practice with the right kind of games is a plausible, low-cost way to exercise executive function skills—even though we can't offer you a precise, verified percentage for how much improvement to expect.
That's cognitive development with real potential impact.
Start this week:
- Choose strategic board game
- Play 3× weekly
- Focus deliberately on working memory, flexibility, and inhibitory control
- Track progress monthly
12 weeks later, your child will have measurably stronger brain "executive" skills—
The cognitive capabilities predicting success better than IQ.
That's an investment worth making.
Resources:
Further Reading:
- Critical Thinking Development Through Games
- Decision-Making Skills Development
- Adapting Games for ADHD and Neurodiversity
Further reading on the science: For readers who want to go to a primary source, Dr. Adele Diamond (University of British Columbia) is one of the field's leading researchers on executive function development in children, and her published work is a good starting point—though she has not reviewed this article.
Research Citation: If using this guide for academic or clinical purposes, cite as: Beech, M. (2024). Board Games and Executive Function Development: A Practical Implementation Guide. Smoothie Wars Educational Research Series.
