TY - JOUR
T1 - Working with teachers’ pedagogical strengths
T2 - The design of executive function activities for play-based programs
AU - Fleer, Marilyn
AU - Veresov, Nikolai
AU - Harrison, Linda
AU - Walker, Sue
N1 - Includes bibliographical references.
PY - 2017/12
Y1 - 2017/12
N2 - EVIDENCE FOR THE PREDICTIVE effect of Executive Functions (EF) on school readiness and later school achievement has been noted. However, some studies show that EF activities are not sustained beyond the study period due to limited engagement by teachers and children. In light of this problem, this paper presents the pedagogical outcomes of a pilot study where teachers used ‘playworlds’ (Lindqvist, 1995) to embed EF into their programs. Five preschool teachers and five assistant teachers participated in the study over 10 weeks. Focus group interviews of all participants were conducted. A cultural-historical analysis showed that teachers developed motivating activities that promoted the sustainable development of EF in contexts of high child-engagement and motivation. The pedagogical features and implications for early childhood education are reported.
AB - EVIDENCE FOR THE PREDICTIVE effect of Executive Functions (EF) on school readiness and later school achievement has been noted. However, some studies show that EF activities are not sustained beyond the study period due to limited engagement by teachers and children. In light of this problem, this paper presents the pedagogical outcomes of a pilot study where teachers used ‘playworlds’ (Lindqvist, 1995) to embed EF into their programs. Five preschool teachers and five assistant teachers participated in the study over 10 weeks. Focus group interviews of all participants were conducted. A cultural-historical analysis showed that teachers developed motivating activities that promoted the sustainable development of EF in contexts of high child-engagement and motivation. The pedagogical features and implications for early childhood education are reported.
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U2 - 10.23965/AJEC.42.4.06
DO - 10.23965/AJEC.42.4.06
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85040111197
SN - 1836-9391
VL - 42
SP - 47
EP - 55
JO - Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
JF - Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
IS - 4
ER -
