Executive function improves through practice — and the practice has to keep getting harder
A review of computerised training, aerobic exercise, martial arts, mindfulness and school curricula
Reviewed by Sian Trombley, CCCFounder, Thrive Family Company
Strong confidence
Source citation
Diamond A., Lee K. (2011). Interventions Shown to Aid Executive Function Development in Children 4 to 12 Years Old. Science. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1204529
Published 1 January 2011 · Added to Thrive 26 July 2026 · Reviewed 26 July 2026
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Attention, working memory and self-control are teachable. This landmark review sorted what actually moves them from what only sounds convincing.
Published research findings
The study
Diamond and Lee reviewed controlled studies of programmes designed to improve executive functions in children aged four to twelve.
What researchers examined
Which activities improved executive function, for whom, and under what conditions.
What they found
Gains appeared across very different activities — computerised training, aerobic exercise, martial arts, mindfulness and adapted classroom curricula — but only when difficulty increased steadily and children practised repeatedly. Children with the weakest executive function gained the most.
Thrive editorial interpretation
What this may mean for families
There is no single magic programme. Progressive challenge, repetition and enjoyment matter more than the specific activity.
What this doesn't tell us
Important limitations
Transfer to untrained skills was often narrow, and many programmes had short follow-up periods.
Evidence confidence describes how much weight this study's design can carry — not how strongly the finding applies to any individual child or family.
Therapist perspective — Thrive interpretation, not a finding of the study
Therapist Perspective
This is my answer when families ask which app to buy. The answer is almost never an app — it is a repeated, slightly-too-hard activity a child actually likes.
Practical family considerations
Choose one activity your child enjoys and make it a little harder each week.
This research summary is educational and does not replace individualized medical, psychological or therapeutic advice.
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