Intervention in executive functions in early childhood education

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Published: Nov 4, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2017.n1.v3.994
Keywords:
executive functions early childhood education evaluation intervention development inhibitory control working memory cognitive flexibility

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Miriam Romero López
Universidad de Granada
Alicia Benavides Nieto
Universidad de Granada
María Fernández Cabezas
Universidad de Granada
Mª Carmen Pichardo Martínez
Universidad de Granada

Abstract

Executive functions defined as the set of higher-order cognitive processes that allow an intentional and directed behavior towards a goal, are vital for success in life, at school, and at work. Improving executive functions in the early stages is very important because problems in executive functioning, in the preschool stage, predict cognitive achievement in later stages and have a central role in school readiness and in the first academic skills acquisition. Recent studies have found positive relationships between executive functioning capacities and math readiness in preschoolers. Likewise, an extensive bibliography suggests an inverse relationship between executive functions and aggressive behavior in humans. For this reason, the objective of this research is to conduct a review of the programs and activities aimed at improving the executive functions in the preschool stage. Various activities and programs have been shown to improve children executive functions, such as computer games, martial arts, yoga, mindfulness and programs included in the school curriculum. The results of studies conducted on the implementation of some of the above activities or programs are promising and suggest that different strategies can be useful in improving executive functions during the preschool years.

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How to Cite
Romero López, M., Benavides Nieto, A., Fernández Cabezas, M., & Pichardo Martínez, M. C. (2017). Intervention in executive functions in early childhood education. International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology. Revista INFAD De Psicología., 3(1), 253–262. https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2017.n1.v3.994
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2017): MONOGRAPH NO. 2. PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: CHALLENGES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE FUTURE. CHILD PSYCHOLOGY.
Section
Articles
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