Studied by 1 personExecutive 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
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