In this article, we explore why inhibition seems to play such an essential role in our ability to concentrate and succeed both in and out of school. The concept is very important in the educational sphere. Today, it’s possible to encourage it in kids through engaging, interactive learning experiences that leverage innovative technology and modern teaching techniques.
What is inhibition?
Inhibition is a set of metacognitive skills that relate to the ability to restrict or regulate one’s impulses, behaviors, and even thoughts. It’s used in social, emotional, and cognitive situations.
These high-level metacognitive skills guide our actions and thoughts. They are divided into 2 categories:
- “Hot” executive functions, which manage affective and emotional aspects like self-regulation and affective decision-making; and
- “Cool” executive functions (also called “cold” executive functions), which are based on logic rather than emotions. Planning, problem solving, abstraction, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory fall into this category.
Research has shown that both hot and cool executive functions play a critical role in starting school (Miller et al., 2013; Blair and Razza, 2007; Cameron et al., 2012) and influence academic performance throughout a student’s entire school career (St Clair-Thompson and Gathercole, 2006; Best et al., 2011). In addition to their major role in learning, executive functions are also essential for regulating behavior and integrating social knowledge.
Decoding inhibition: Types and applications
Inhibition is an executive function of self-control. It acts as a brake, a sort of function control that allows us to repress our instinctive responses so we can make a deliberate choice. There are 3 forms:
- Motor inhibition: Tatiana is playing tennis. She sees the ball approaching, but stops herself from swinging right away, instead waiting until the ball is closer.
- Cognitive inhibition: Amadi is in gym class. He listens to his teacher explain the rules of the game and concentrates on that, despite the cafeteria staff chatting in the hallway.
- Emotional inhibition: A student pushes Nushi in line. Even though she’s angry and wants to retaliate, she stops herself from pushing him back because she knows it’s unacceptable behavior.
How do you assess inhibition?
One of the most effective ways of assessing this skill is through a Stroop test, which involves asking a person to read the color of a word rather than the word itself. For example, if the word green is written in blue in a text, the person would have to name the color they see (blue) rather than the word itself (green).
It’s important to mention that the frontal lobe and its networks, on which executive functions depend, mature rapidly until age 7 or 8, then more slowly until age 18 or 19.
This means that it’s possible to work on these skills from a very young age. There are plenty of ways to work on inhibition in children and teens of all ages:
- Simon Says
- Yes, No, Black, White
- Red Light, Green Light
Tools and applications to develop inhibition
At Lü, we understand that it’s important to develop executive functions, and we believe that the best way to do it is through play. That’s why many of our applications help students develop their inhibition:
- Wäk
- Twïns
- Minewörd
- Newton
- Brüsh (Lü+)
- Lüvia (Lü+)
To learn more about the executive functions our applications strengthen, take a look at our application catalog, an invaluable mine of information to help you plan your teaching and learning sequences.
How technology affects self-control in education
As education undergoes a digital transformation, the impact of technological innovations on self-control is becoming undeniable. Lü Interactive’s aim is to use these tools to make teaching more immersive and engaging.
Educational applications in the classroom
Using educational applications can encourage self-control. Lü Interactive offers a range of innovative applications that are specifically designed to increase physical, intellectual, and socio-emotional engagement.
Inhibition: an essential concept in education
Inhibition in all its forms is essential at school, so it’s important to fully understand it. It’s also something that educators—and the educational sector as a whole—need to keep in mind in order to enhance children’s intellectual and social development over time.
Bringing technology into the classroom offers unique opportunities to reinforce self-control. Technology, whether it’s an educational application or an audiovisual system, is an important educational tool that is transforming the way we learn and teach.
By embracing these innovations, educators open the door to more effective and engaging learning, while empowering students to achieve true self-control.
