ERIC Number: EJ1390589
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-9289
EISSN: EISSN-1556-6935
Available Date: N/A
Questions That Fuel the Mind: Exploring the Associations between Teacher-Child Higher-Level Interaction and Preschoolers' Development of Executive Functions
Early Education and Development, v34 n5 p1213-1235 2023
Recent research has provided mixed evidence on the promise of classroom-based interventions for supporting young children's development of executive functions (EF). To advance intervention efforts, it is necessary to identify specific types of interactions that might support the development of EF in early childhood. Through a correlational design, this study explores the relationship between higher-level, teacher-child interaction in Head Start classrooms and children's EF. Higher-level interaction was measured using both global and fine-grained approaches. Children completed task-based assessments targeting individual components of EF at the beginning and end of a preschool year. Research Findings: Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that the frequency of teachers' higher-level questions was significantly associated with a spring composite EF score and spring cognitive flexibility, controlling for fall scores and other covariates. A global measure of higher-level interaction was negatively associated with spring inhibitory control, controlling for fall scores. Neither measure of higher-level interaction was associated with spring working memory. Practice and Policy: This study has methodological implications for the value in measuring teacher-child interaction using more fine-grained approaches in order to reveal important associations with child outcomes. In relation to practice, this study suggests that intervention efforts to support teachers' use of higher-level interaction strategies may support children's development of EF.
Descriptors: Preschool Teachers, Preschool Children, Teacher Student Relationship, Interaction, Child Development, Executive Function, Scores, Cognitive Ability, Inhibition, Short Term Memory, Intervention, Low Income Groups
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Administration for Children and Families (DHHS), Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE); Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: 90YR0036; R305C050052
Author Affiliations: N/A