CPDMixed N + ROracy, Vocab & CommunicationPSED

Executive Function Play Pack

Included in the membership

£7.99/ month · or £75 a year

Get this resource and every other resource in the library, plus everything new Laura adds.

Explore membership →

or just this resource

Already a member? Log in to download

Age range: Preschool (3-4) · Reception (4-5) · Year 1 (5-6)
Updated: October 2026

About this resource

Remember it! Wait for it! Switch it! Executive Function Play Pack | EYFS Twelve playful, no-prep games to build working memory, self-control and flexible thinking in the early years. Executive function is the set of thinking skills that help children focus, remember instructions, wait their turn and cope when plans change. These skills aren’t fixed: they grow with practice, and play is one of the best ways to build them. This pack makes it easy, with quick five-minute games you can play at carpet time, during transitions or while lining up. What’s inside: What is executive function? A clear, friendly explanation of the three skills, with examples of what they look like in the classroom and links to the PSED Early Learning Goal. How to use this pack: simple tips for playing little and often, starting easy and handing the lead to the children. 12 cut-out game cards, in three colour-coded sets: Remember it (working memory): What’s Missing?, Copy My Beat, Shopping Bag and Mission Possible Wait for it (self-control): Traffic Lights, Freeze Frame, Simon Says and Slow Snail Race Switch it (flexible thinking): Sort & Switch, Topsy-Turvy Touch, What Else Could It Be? and Animal Switch Observation tracker: jot down what you notice during the games and plan next steps. Games at home: a parent handout with five easy games to play at home, with no equipment needed.

What's inside

What's included.

1
What is executive function? A clear, friendly explanation of the three skills, with examples of what they look like in the classroom and links to the PSED Early Learning Goal.
2
How to use this pack: simple tips for playing little and often, starting easy and handing the lead to the children.
3
12 cut-out game cards, in three colour-coded sets:
4
Remember it (working memory): What’s Missing?, Copy My Beat, Shopping Bag and Mission Possible
5
Wait for it (self-control): Traffic Lights, Freeze Frame, Simon Says and Slow Snail Race
6
Switch it (flexible thinking): Sort & Switch, Topsy-Turvy Touch, What Else Could It Be? and Animal Switch
7
Observation tracker: jot down what you notice during the games and plan next steps.
8
Games at home: a parent handout with five easy games to play at home, with no equipment needed.

Your whole EYFS library. One membership.

Planning, assessment, displays and CPD, with new resources every month.

Join for £7.99/month →

Executive Function Play Pack
Included with membershipJoin

Cookies, if that’s OK

What's included.

What is executive function? A clear, friendly explanation of the three skills, with examples of what they look like in the classroom and links to the PSED Early Learning Goal.

How to use this pack: simple tips for playing little and often, starting easy and handing the lead to the children.

12 cut-out game cards, in three colour-coded sets:

Remember it (working memory): What’s Missing?, Copy My Beat, Shopping Bag and Mission Possible

Wait for it (self-control): Traffic Lights, Freeze Frame, Simon Says and Slow Snail Race

Switch it (flexible thinking): Sort & Switch, Topsy-Turvy Touch, What Else Could It Be? and Animal Switch

Observation tracker: jot down what you notice during the games and plan next steps.

Games at home: a parent handout with five easy games to play at home, with no equipment needed.

More from the library

What could this be?

What Might Help Me? Regulation Cards

What Might Help Me? Self Regulation Cards Set 2

Visual Timetable Labels

Your whole EYFS library. One membership.