A novel executive function battery for preschoolers: Sensitivity to age differences

Child Neuropsychol. 2014;20(6):713-36. doi: 10.1080/09297049.2013.857650. Epub 2013 Dec 3.

Abstract

The present study investigated sensitivity to age differences in a novel executive function (EF) battery for children aged 18 months to 5 years, and whether the pattern of associations among the measures was consistent with a hierarchical model of EF development. Participants (n = 261, aged 18-67 months) were administered a battery of novel tasks designed to assess 3 key EF components (working memory, inhibition, and shifting). The results indicate that the EF tasks were sensitive to age differences and provide partial support for the hierarchical model of EF development.

Keywords: Executive functions; Inhibition; Preschoolers; Working memory; shifting.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Child Development*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Executive Function*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Inhibition, Psychological
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity