Early Childhood: Executive Function

Executive function

________: that aspect of brain organization, generally located within the prefrontal cortex, that coordinates attention and memory and controls behavioral, emotional responses for the purpose of attaining a goal.

Young children demonstrate inhibitory control in a preschool classroom when

________they wait their turn to contribute to discussions during circle time rather than shouting out what they are thinking.

Cognitive flexibility

________: ability to switch focus as needed.

In early childhood, executive functioning involves

________developmental advances in cognitive inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and delay of gratification.

Indirect contributing factors to executive function:

sleep, nutrition, health, excess stress, contextual factors.

Inhibition

________: the ability to stop a response, (such as grabbing a forbidden treat)- also includes the ability to resist distractions and control what you pay attention to.

Effects of play may be larger for

those from low to middle class backgrounds

In another study, reading stories that were “silly” and were unexpected,

promoted the development cognitive flexibility in preschoolers compared to those who were not read the silly stories.

Thibodeau and colleagues randomly assigned children to participate in either

a pretend play intervention, a non-imaginative play intervention, or a control condition

Children engaging in imaginative play are more likely to be

sociable with peers, able to think flexibly and creatively, better emotional regulation skills, and theory of mind

Children ages 3-11 with better inhibitory control, less likely to

engage in risk-taking behaviors and drug use in adolescent years

Researchers found that advances in executive function during preschool years are linked with

math skills, school readiness, language development and potentially more so than IQ

Transitions also relates to

frustration- tolerance.

Young children demonstrate cognitive flexibility in a classroom when

they can easily change rules or routines when called on to do so

Executive function also includes

speed of information processing, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and planning

Children will react differently to change based on

temperament and skills

Studies done on the benefits of play on executive function demonstrated

short term gains

Findings of play and executive function research are especially promising for

individuals form low SES background, policy for UPK nation-wide and programming

What were the results of Thibodeau’s study?

only those who were assigned the pretend play condition showed improved EF skills

For children ages 3-11 with better inhibitory control, almost 30 years later

they had better physical and mental health, better earnings, and reported greater happiness