32. Task-Oriented Movement: The Key to Building Executive Function in Preschool Speech Therapy

What if the most powerful way to boost attention, working memory, and flexible thinking isn’t at a table—but in motion?

In today’s episode, I share why task-oriented movement activities are game-changers for speech-language therapy. We’ll break down how these purposeful, multi-step activities directly strengthen the three core executive function skills:

• Inhibitory control – helping children attend and ignore distractions

• Working memory – holding problems, creating plans, and taking action

• Cognitive flexibility – responding to new information with flexible thinking

The latest research shows that task-oriented movement boosts both motor skills and executive function by nearly a standard deviation. That means these strategies don’t just improve therapy—they change outcomes for school readiness and long-term success.

✨ Want empirically-based, movement-rich activities delivered every week? Inside the SIS Membership, you’ll get literacy, speech, language, AAC, and movement-based theme lessons—plus a parent/large group/teletherapy Google Slides deck. Join here: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis