From Infancy to Preadolescence--Relations Between Parent- or Parenting-Related Factors and Children’s Executive Functions

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Executive functions (EF) develop across childhood and predict a wide range of outcomes. Social-relational views of cognitive development postulate that relationships and social interactions may modulate the development of executive functions. An important source of such social relational experiences across childhood are parents. At the same time, the influence of parent- or parenting-related factors on child development and outcomes may vary with developmental phase or be moderated by other variables in the child, parent, or environmental context. All three presentations in this symposium examine associations between parent- or parenting-related factors and child EF, as well as moderators of these associations. Each presentation adopts a different approach and focuses on a different aspect of EF, different developmental phases, and different parent- or parenting-related factors and moderators. The first presentation takes a microgenetic approach to examine how familiarity with social partners in adult-infant interactions (e.g., mother versus stranger) moderates the effect of adult scaffolding on infant attention set-shifting. The second presentation takes a cross-cultural approach to examine how socioeconomic status moderates the relationship between parenting-related factors (i.e., parenting stress, parenting behaviours, and household cognitive stimulation) and working memory in kindergarten-aged children, and how these differ across three Asian societies (Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Khon Kaen). The third presentation takes a longitudinal approach to examine how mindful parenting relates to different dimensions of overall EF in preadolescents, whether these associations are moderated by child environmental sensitivity, and how mindful parenting may moderate associations between EF at early-childhood and at late-middle childhood.

Sub Unit

• Attention, Learning, Memory

Chair

• Kiat Hui Khng, Nanyang Technological University

Individual Presentations

• Partner Familiarity Moderates Infant Attention Set-Shifting - Presenting Author: Victoria Leong, Nanyang Technological University

• The Moderating Role of SES on the Relation Between Parenting-Related Factors and Children’s Working Memory - Presenting Author: Kerry Lee, The Education University of Hong Kong; Xiaozi Gao, The Education University of Hong Kong; Kannika Permpoonputtana, Mahidol University; Piangdow Chaiyasarn, Khon Kaen University Demonstration Elementary School (Suksasart); Terrachai Nethanomsak, Khon Kaen University

• Mindful Parenting Contributes to Children’s Executive Function Development - Presenting Author: Kiat Hui Khng, Nanyang Technological University; Kerry Lee, The Education University of Hong Kong; EeLynn Ng, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Rebecca Bull, Macquarie University