Methods for managing and developing executive functions in preschool children
The development of executive functions (EF) plays an important role in children’s education. Children with EF deficits are inclined to make careless mistakes, to experience difficulties in sustaining attention and carrying out the teacher’s instructions. That is the reason why a timely diagnosis and the management of EF deficits is a matter of great importance. There are many intervention and training programs, which share common basic principles but differ in certain parameters. Furthermore, there are some types of activity (e.g., martial arts or programming) that may positively infl uence the development of EF. These methods are reviewed in this article. The first part of the article concerns an ambiguity in the definition of executive functions found in the professional literature. In the second part, the most popular methods of EF management and development are described. In the third part, we analyze the described methods in terms of the main principles of practical application