The foundation of successful learning is improving “executive function,” a collection of cognitive processes important for self-control and focusing on the task at hand, concluded scientists at the Decade of the Mind (DOM) symposium last week in Berlin, Germany.

“Executive function” could be achieved with relatively small changes, such as altering the timetabling of exercise sessions or encouraging the learning of a musical instrument, they said. “One day, a child’s genes could even be used to inform how they should be taught,” suggested Sabine Kubesch at the University of Ulm.