Improving the executive functions in preschool children; Construction and validation of a program based on maternal scaffolding

The aim of this study is to develop and validation a training program based on maternal scaffolding to improve executive attention (inhibition, shifting, and updating working memory) in pre-school children. This study has been carried out in three phases. Within the first phase, upon reviewing previous projects, the dimensions and components of parental scaffolding that relevance to executive functions were identified. In the 2nd phase, under documentary analysis methodology, a training program for improve of the executive functions in pre-school children, was presented. The components of parental scaffolding that relevance to executive functions, were merged to games and activities of this program. In the third phase, the prepared program sought validation. Based on the plan of this project, a single group pursued pre-test, first post-test, and second post-test assessments. The participants included sixteen mothers with 3-6-year-old children, who participated in the course with their children, and were selected voluntarily. The measurement tools applied in this study were Day/Night Stroop task (Gerstadt et al.,1994), flexible item selection task (Jacques & Zelazo, 2001) digit span task (Wechsler, 2003). The results showed that this program was highly effective for improve of three dimensions of executive functions, and this effectiveness has been maintained constantly. Overall, based on this study, mothers can attain a more accurate perception of the cognitive development of their children and assist the cognitive growth of their children upon performing the games and activities covered by this program; while concurrently understanding their role in this development.