Helping Young Brains Build the Foundations to Flourish: Executive function and school readiness in the early years by Victoria Bagnall. MA (Cantab), PGCE.

In the early years, children are developing the essential building blocks that shape their ability to learn, manage emotions, build relationships, and thrive in the classroom. At the heart of this development are executive function skills—the brain-based processes that enable focus, self-regulation, memory, flexibility, and goal-directed behavior.

Join Victoria A Bagnall. MA (Cantab), PGCE., neurodivergent educator, speaker, and co-founder of Connections in Mind, for a clear and compelling exploration of executive function in early childhood. A former teacher and Cambridge graduate, Victoria is one of the UK’s leading specialists in executive function coaching and training. Drawing on her work with early years settings, schools, and national organizations—including the NHS and the University of California, Berkeley—she shares practical, research-informed strategies that educators can use to create supportive, neuro-inclusive classroom environments where every child can thrive.

This session explores:

• What executive function looks like in early childhood, how it develops, and why it’s central to school readiness

• The neuroscience behind executive function, presented in a clear and accessible way

• Practical strategies early years educators can use to create supportive, developmentally appropriate environments where every child can flourish

Whether you're a practitioner, leader, or support staff member, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to nurture executive function—not just to prepare children for school, but to support their overall well-being and lifelong success.