Describe and label emotions and facial expressions for your child. New Jersey Council for Young Children. (2013). New Jersey Birth to Three Early Learning Standards. Retrieved from: https://www.nj.gov/education/ece/guide/standards/birth/standard s.pdf Miller, S.E., and S. Marcovitch. 2011. Toddlers benefit from labeling on an executive function search task. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology 108: 580–592. (Level IV)
Studies have shown that children's ability to be self-aware and understand that others have internal mental states that guide behaviour (according to the Theory of Mind) also impacts the development of their executive function abilities, such as the ability to plan, self-regulate and focus attention and consciously control one's thoughts and actions. Wellman, H., Cross, D. & Watson, J. (2001). Meta-Analysis of Theory of Mind Development: The Truth about False Belief. Child Development. 72. 655 - 684. Carlson, S. M., Moses, L. J., & Breton, C. (2002). How specific is the relation between executive function and theory of mind? Contributions of inhibitory control and working memory. Infant and Child Development, 11, 73–92.