Remember and draw
A grid of shapes to look at for a few seconds and, after folding the sheet, an empty grid to draw each shape where it was. It trains visual and spatial memory: 3 shapes at age 5, 5 at ages 7 and 8, and 7 from age 9.
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Teaching guide: working memory and executive function worksheets
Executive functions are the skills that let us keep in mind what we are doing, follow a plan and stop before acting: working memory, planning and inhibitory control. This generator makes worksheets to practise them for ages 5 to 12, new every time and with answers.
- For
- Pre-K & K K · Elementary 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th (ages 5-11)
- Subject
- Learning Support › Attention & Executive Function
- Includes
- Student sheet and answer key
- Format
- A4, to print or save as PDF; new exercises every time
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
- Available in
- Catalan, Spanish, English
Student worksheet 
Answer key Follow the directions
A row of shapes and a direction such as "circle the star just after the circle". The landmark shape appears only once, so there is one answer. At ages 9 to 12, two directions follow each other.
Put the steps in order
The steps of an everyday task, such as washing your hands or planting a seed, jumbled to number. Every task has one possible order and is never printed already in order. It trains planning and sequencing.
Circle or not
A row of white and black shapes and a rule: circle the white ones of a shape but not the black ones, or all but one kind. At ages 9 to 12 the rule changes halfway along the row, which trains flexibility.
Frequently asked questions about executive function worksheets
What are executive functions?
They are the skills that steer behaviour towards a goal: holding information in mind while doing a task, planning the steps and holding back an automatic response. They develop throughout childhood and adolescence.
Are they suitable for children with ADHD?
They are practice worksheets like the ones used in support sessions. They are not a treatment or a test: whoever knows the child decides what to practise. There is more in the learning support worksheets.
How does the memory worksheet work?
The child looks at the top grid for as long as you say, for example thirty seconds, folds the sheet on the line so it is hidden and draws the shapes in the bottom grid. Then unfold it and compare.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. Every worksheet comes with its answers: the memory grid, the circled and crossed out shapes, the number of each step and what had to be circled in each row.
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