Learn More about EF Skills

Oral Traditions require the development and use of working memory skills. Many cultures pass down history, stories, laws, beliefs, and traditions through oral tradition. Occasionally, these stories are not written down and are shared through songs. This typically relies on people remembering them through songs, folktales, poetry, and other forms of storytelling. Since these things are not traditionally written down, people have to remember and keep track of multiple stories, and sometimes identify where and when they fit into their culture. 

Translanguaging is a natural way multilingual individuals use all their language practices fluidly to communicate, learn, and express themselves. Individuals who engaging in code-meshing or translanguaging bring a wealth of cognitive flexibility resources. In academic scenarios, translanguaging de-centers the English language and prioritizes students’ linguistic identity as an essential part of their mathematical learning, instead of forcing students to translate their ideas into English. 

In stepping and dancing, success depends on timing. Sometimes this means students have to wait for a specific part of the beat before moving. That split second of waiting is the brain stopping the impulse and waiting for the right moment - inhibitory control. In the classroom, students use this skill when solving math problems. When solving story problems, students have to stop themselves from computing (adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing) because it aligns with the unit. Students use this EF strength by stopping, thinking, and then acting accordingly.