Promoting Social Competence in Preschool with an Executive Functions Program Conducted by Teachers

Miriam Romero-López, M. Carmen Pichardo, Judit Bembibre-Serrano and Trinidad García-Berbén
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Miriam Romero-López: Department of Evolutive and Educational Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
M. Carmen Pichardo: Department of Evolutive and Educational Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Judit Bembibre-Serrano: Department of Evolutive and Educational Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Trinidad García-Berbén: Department of Evolutive and Educational Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: The objective of this research is to examine the effectiveness of the “Executive Function Training Program in Preschool” (EFE-P) that includes real-world activities and applies different required methodologies for a sustainable education. In addition, it is evaluated whether the improvement of executive functions is transferred to the social competence domain. The study involved 100 students aged 5–6 years, of which 50 were randomly assigned to the active control group and 50 to the experimental group. Executive functions (BRIEF-P) and social competence (BASC and PKBS-2) were measured at two time points (pre-intervention and post-intervention). Data were analyzed using the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) for repeated data and results showed that children in the experimental group obtained better scores on executive functions and social competence compared to their peers in the control group. It is discussed if the executive functions training can be effective in improving social competence as long as the programs include real-world activities that encourage such transfer, as the EFE-P does.

Keywords: executive function; inhibitory control; working memory; cognitive flexibility; social competence; social skills; transfer; sustainability education; teacher training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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