Executive function and pre-academic skills in preschoolers from South Africa
Date
2023-08-25
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Abstract
Background: While there is now considerable evidence in support of a relationship between
executive function (EF) and academic success, these findings almost uniformly derive from
Western and high-income countries. Yet, recent findings from low- to middle-
income
countries have suggested that patterns of EF and academic skills differ in these contexts, but
there is little clarity on the extent, direction and nature of their association.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the contribution of EF to pre-academic skills in a sample
of preschool children (N = 124; Mage = 50.91 months; 45% female).
Setting: Two preschools were recruited from an urban setting in a community with both
formal and informal housing, overcrowding, high levels of crime and violence, and poor
service delivery. Three preschools were recruited from rural communities with household
plots, a slow rate of infrastructure development, reliance on open fires for cooking, limited
access to running water and rudimentary sanitation.
Methods: Pre-academic skills were assessed using the Herbst Early Childhood Development
Criteria test, and EF was assessed using the Early Years Toolbox.
Results: Although EF scores appeared high and pre-academic skills were low (in norm
comparisons), EF inhibition (ß = 0.23, p = 0.001) and working memory (ß = 0.25, p < 0.001)
nevertheless showed strong prediction of pre-academic skills while shifting was not significant.
Conclusion: While EF is an important predictor of pre-academic skills even in this low- and
middle-income country context, factors in addition to EF may be equally important targets to
foster school readiness in these settings.
Contribution: The current study represents a first step towards an understanding of the
current strengths that can be leveraged, and opportunities for additional development, in the
service of preparing all children for the demands of school.
Description
Keywords
preschool; school readiness; executive function; early years toolbox; pre-academic skills; low-income.