Sustained attention and age predict inhibitory control during early childhood

Executive functioning skills develop rapidly during early childhood. Recent research has focused on specifying this development, particularly predictors of executive functioning skills. Here we focus on sustained attention as a predictor of inhibitory control, one key executive functioning component...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental child psychology 2011-03, Vol.108 (3), p.504-512
Main Authors: Reck, Sarah G., Hund, Alycia M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention - physiology
Attention Control
Behavior
Child
Child Development
Child Development - physiology
Child, Preschool
Cognitive ability
Cognitive Development
Cognitive Processes
Development
Early childhood
Executive Function - physiology
Executive functioning
Female
Humans
Inhibition
Inhibition (Psychology)
Inhibitory control
Internal-External Control
Laboratories
Male
Multimethod assessment
Neuropsychological Tests
Parent Attitudes
Parents
Prediction
Predictor Variables
Surveys and Questionnaires
Sustained attention
Task Performance and Analysis
Young Children
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Summary:Executive functioning skills develop rapidly during early childhood. Recent research has focused on specifying this development, particularly predictors of executive functioning skills. Here we focus on sustained attention as a predictor of inhibitory control, one key executive functioning component. Although sustained attention and inhibitory control have been linked in older children and adults, these links have not been well specified during early childhood. The current study examined both parent-rated and laboratory measures of sustained attention as predictors of both parent-rated and laboratory measures of inhibitory control among 3- to 6-year-olds. As expected, children with higher sustained attention abilities exhibited greater inhibitory control. Moreover, inhibitory control increased across age. These findings reveal important details about the development of sustained attention and inhibitory control during early childhood.
ISSN:0022-0965
1096-0457
DOI:10.1016/j.jecp.2010.07.010