Development of executive functions in late childhood and the mediating role of cooperative learning: A longitudinal study

We examine the developmental changes in Executive functions (EFs) throughout late childhood and how the contextual factor of classroom methodology mediates such changes. Using data collected from fifty-three pupils at two time points (between the 5th and 6th grades of Primary School) we observed the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCognitive development Vol. 63; p. 101219
Main Authors Segundo-Marcos, Rafael, Carrillo, Ana Merchán, Fernández, Verónica López, González, María Teresa Daza
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Inc 01.07.2022
Subjects
Classroom methodology
Cooperative learning
Development
Executive functions
IL
EFs
EI
Classroom methodology
WM
Development
Cooperative learning
CL
Executive functions
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Summary:We examine the developmental changes in Executive functions (EFs) throughout late childhood and how the contextual factor of classroom methodology mediates such changes. Using data collected from fifty-three pupils at two time points (between the 5th and 6th grades of Primary School) we observed the longitudinal development of cool (Working Memory (WM), Cognitive Flexibility, Inhibitory Control, and Planning) and hot-EFs (Emotional Intelligence-EI-). The participants were selected from two schools with different methodological approaches (Cooperative and Individualistic learning) to examine the mediating role of classroom methodologies in developmental changes in EFs. The results revealed age-related improvements in performance on WM, cognitive flexibility, and planning tasks. Moreover, Cooperative Learning (CL) significantly affected performance on WM and self-control tasks. Our findings highlight the importance of studying the development of EFs at the end of the Primary School stage, since natural development involves numerous contextual factors that deserve attention, particularly for improving methodological proposals and learning processes. •Working memory, cognitive flexibility and planning changed across late childhood.•Working Memory and self-control development was related to Cooperative Learning.•Cooperative learning is an important factor for developing Executive Function in this period.
ISSN:0885-2014
1879-226X
DOI:10.1016/j.cogdev.2022.101219