057: Higher Level Thinking for Kids and How That Improves Independence and Life Skills with Author Noel Foy

Healthy Parenting Handbook with Katie Kimball

Did you know the pre-frontal cortex where executive functioning lives doesn’t fully develop until our early 30s???

I still struggle with some executive functioning skills like time management and following a plan, but if I learned anything from this interview, it’s that we ALL can continue to grow, change, and improve. You are not married to your weaknesses!

If we can help our kids BEST develop their executive function, they will be more independent, better at their jobs, find deeper relationships, and be better parents themselves. It’s THAT important!

My guest today, Noel Foy, helps us understand what executive functioning is, how it develops over time, and some really practical ways to build it best in our kids.

Her question, “What is your plan for that?” is pure gold, and I know you’ll love all the little strategies she shares to reduce anxiety in our kids while improving their executive function. As we teach life skills and independence, we are also teaching executive functioning skills! Score! 🙂

Noel just released a new book 1/30/25--15-Minute Focus: Executive Function: Strategies to Build Underdeveloped Skills, Maximize Learning, and Unlock Potential. You can grab it here on Amazon or at Bookshop.org.

Want to join the podcast birthday party? Find out more HERE!

Resources We Mention for Executive Function

• Find Noel online here
• Noel’s books: ABC Worry Free, Are You a Bird Like Me?, 15-Minute Focus
• You can see my first interview with Noel about helping kids with ADHD here
• Watch my TEDx talk on the importance of teaching kids critical thinking skills
• Get anxiety coping skills in this interview and this post
• Here’s Ned Johnson’s book The Self-Driven Child that Noel mentioned

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
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• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

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