This review aims to explore the relationship between the human stress physiology and cognitive functioning. In particular, it aims to address the question of whether hormones related to stress (specifically Cortisol), influence the development of executive function in early life. In order to provide a theoretical and empirical background to this area of investigation, the review firstly outlines literature linking early experiences with the development of the human stress response. Evidence for the relationship between the stress physiology and cognitive function in adults and primates is then summerised. The importance of executive functioning as an aspect of child development is considered, before addressing in detail studies which examine the relationship between executive function and the human stress physiology in early life and childhood. The review ends by proposing that the links between early experiences and later cognitive capacities may be mediated by the development and functioning of the stress physiology.