Perceptions and Experiences of Mothers on Parenting to Promote Executive Functions in Preschool Children
Keywords:
Executive functions, Parenting, Promotion, Preschool children, Qualitative researchAbstract
Executive functions, or higher cognitive processes which underpin goal-directed behavior, can allow children to control themselves against temptation, focus on tasks at hand, memorize agreements to initiate actions, and adapt their behavior in unfamiliar situations. Mothers play an essential role as role models, supporting and organizing activities to encourage their children to develop executive functions. Therefore, a research study on maternal practices is needed to promote executive functions. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore mothers’ perceptions and experiences regarding the promotion of executive functions in preschool children in northern Thailand. Data were collected using participant observation and in-depth interviews between May 2019 and July 2020 with 18 biological mothers of children aged 3-5 years old who participated in a training program to promote executive functions. Content analysis was applied for data analysis.
The findings on maternal parenting related to promoting executive functions comprise seven categories: 1) supporting children to focus their attention; 2) encouraging children to use their ability to accomplish tasks; 3) promoting to solve problems on their own; 4) enhancing self-confidence; 5) encouraging imagination; 6) supporting awareness of their own emotions and actions; and 7) practices hindering executive functions. This study’s findings help nurses understand mother’s parenting related to promoting executive functions in their children, which can be applied to develop programs/strategies to promote executive functions in preschool children.
References
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5. Brzozowski AK, Drews-Botsch CD. Early childhood obesity, socioeconomic status, and executive functioning in Atlanta children. Int J Child Adolesc Health. 2015; 8(4):487-95.
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7. Sulik MJ, Blair C, Mills‐Koonce R, Berry D, Greenberg M, Investigators FLP, et al. Early parenting and the development of externalizing behavior problems: longitudinal mediation through children’s executive function. Child Dev.2015;86(5):1588-603. doi:10.1111/cdev.12386.
8. Chubhapukdikul N, Thanasetkorn P, Lertawasadatrakul O, Ruksee N. Tool development and evaluation criteria for assessment of executive function in early childhood. Research report. 1st edition. Bangkok, Thailand: the Health System Research Institute (HSRI), the Institute of Molecular Biosciences and the National Institute for Child and Family Development, Mahidol University. 2017. 229 p. (in Thai).
9. Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. Thai health 2018: Buddhism and the enhancement of well-being. Nakhon Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University; 2018. pp. 18-21 (in Thai).
10. Shonkoff JP, Duncan GJ, Fisher PA, Magnuson K, Raver C; Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Building the brain’s “air traffic control” system: how early experiences shape the development of executive function. Contract. 2011;1-17. Available from: http://www.developingchild.harvard.edu
11. Kaesonbua K, Thamrongat U. A study of preschoolers parenting styles of generation Y parent in Bangkok Metropolitan Area. OJED. 2018;13(3):15-29 (in Thai).
12. Sukadaecha R. A child rearing of Thai families: a systematic integrated literature reviews. J Nurs Sci Health. 2020;43(1):1-9 (in Thai).
13. Seamkhumhom D, Nookong A, Rungamornrat S, Chutabhakdikul N. Factors related to executive functions in preschool-aged children. Thai J Nurs Res. 2019;34(4):80-94 (in Thai).
14. Vučković S, Ručević S, Ajduković M. Parenting style and practices and children’s externalizing behaviour problems: mediating role of children’s executive functions. Eur J Dev Psychol. 2021;18(3):313-29. doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2020.1768067.
15. Bernier A, Carlson SM, Deschênes M, Matte‐Gagné C. Social factors in the development of early executive functioning: a closer look at the caregiving environment. Dev Sci. 2012;15(1):12-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7687. z2011.01093.x.
16. Fay‐Stammbach T, Hawes DJ, Meredith P. Parenting influences on executive function in early childhood: a review. Child Dev Perspect. 2014;8(4):258-64. doi:10.1111/cdep.12095.
17. Bibok MB, Carpendale JI, Müller U. Parental scaffolding and the development of executive function. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev. 2009;123:17-34. DOI: 10.1002/cd.233. PMID: 19306272.
18. Lee MK, Baker S, Whitebread D. Culture‐specific links between maternal executive function, parenting, and preschool children’s executive function in South Korea. Br J Educ Psychol. 2018;88(2):216-35. doi:10.1111/bjep.12221.
19. Distefano R, Galinsky E, McClelland MM, Zelazo PD, Carlson SM. Autonomy-supportive parenting and associations with child and parent executive function. J Appl Dev Psychol. 2018;58:77-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2018.04.007
20. Bradley RH, McKelvey LM, Whiteside‐Mansell L. Does the quality of stimulation and support in the home environment moderate the effect of early education programs?. Child Dev. 2011;82(6):2110-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01659.x.
21. Hackman DA, Gallop R, Evans GW, Farah MJ. Socioeconomic status and executive function: developmental trajectories and mediation. Dev Sci. 2015;18(5):686-702.doi:10.1111/desc.12246.
22. Obradović J, Yousafzai AK, Finch JE, Rasheed MA. Maternal scaffolding and home stimulation: key mediators of early intervention effects on children’s cognitive development. Dev Psychol. 2016;52(9):1409-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000182
23. Carlson, SM, Zelazo, PD, Faja, S. Executive function. In: Zelazo PD. Oxford handbook of developmental psychology Vol. 1: Body and mind. Oxford Handbooks Online; 2013. pp. 1-73 doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199958450.013.0025.
24. Blair C, Granger DA, Willoughby M, Mills‐Koonce R, Cox M, Greenberg MT, et al. Salivary cortisol mediates effects of poverty and parenting on executive functions in early childhood. Child Dev. 2011;82(6):1970-84. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01643.x.
25. Lucassen N, Kok R, Bakermans‐Kranenburg MJ, Van Ijzendoorn MH, Jaddoe VW, Hofman A, et al. Executive functions in early childhood: the role of maternal and paternal parenting practices. Br J Dev Psychol. 2015;33(4):489-505. doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12112.
26. Wagner SL, Cepeda I, Krieger D, Maggi S, D’Angiulli A, Weinberg J, et al. Higher cortisol is associated with poorer executive functioning in preschool children: the role of parenting stress, parent coping and quality of daycare. Child Neuropsychol. 2016; 22(7):853-69. doi.org/10.1080/09297049.2015.1080232.
27. Cuevas K, Deater‐Deckard K, Kim‐Spoon J, Watson AJ, Morasch KC, Bell MA. What’s mom got to do with it? Contributions of maternal executive function and caregiving to the development of executive function across early childhood. Dev Sci. 2014;17(2):224-38. doi: 10.1111/desc.12073.
28. Bindman SW, Hindman AH, Bowles RP, Morrison FJ. The contributions of parental management language to executive function in preschool children. Early Child Res Q. 2013;28(3):529-39. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq. 2013.03.003.
29. Labnok S, Pongjaturawit Y, Chaimongkol N. Predictors of executive function development in preschool children. J Bamrasnaradura Infect Dis Inst. 2020;14(2): 56-67 (in Thai).
30. Thanasetkorn P, Chumchua V, Suttho J, Chutabhakdikul N. The preliminary research study on the impact of the 101S: a guide to positive discipline parent training on parenting practices and preschooler s executive function. Asia-Pac J Res Early Child Educ. 2015;9(1):65-89. doi.org/10.17206/apjrece.2015.9.1.65 (in Thai).
31. Lambert VA, Lambert CE. Qualitative descriptive research: an acceptable design. Pacific Rim Int J Nurs Res. 2012;16(4):255-6.
32. Creswell JW, Poth CN. Qualitative inquiry research design: choosing among five approaches. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications; 2018.
33. Lincoln YS, Guba EG. Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park: Sage; 1985.
34. Hanmethee S, Pitaksinsuk T, Aramrit P. Guide for developing brain executive functions skill for primary teachers.Bangkok: Raklook Group; 2018 (in Thai).
35. Korucu I, Rolan E, Napoli AR, Purpura DJ, Schmitt SA. Development of the Home Executive Function Environment (HEFE) scale: assessing its relation to preschoolers’ executive function. Early Child Res Q. 2019;47:9-19. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.09.001.
36. Conway A, Stifter CA. Longitudinal antecedents of executive function in preschoolers. Child Dev. 2012; 83(3):1022-36.doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01756.x.
37. Eason SH, Ramani GB. Parental guidance and children’s executive function: working memory and planning as moderators during joint problem‐solving. Infant Child Dev. 2017;26(2):e1982. doi: 10.1002/icd.1982.
38. Helm AF, McCormick SA, Deater‐Deckard K, Smith CL, Calkins SD, Bell MA. Parenting and children’s executive function stability across the transition to school. Infant Child Dev. 29(1):1-19. doi: 10.1002/icd. 2171.
39. Baptista J, Osório A, Martins EC, Castiajo P, Barreto AL, Mateus V, et al. Maternal and paternal mental‐state talk and executive function in preschool children. Soc Dev. 2017;26(1):129-45. doi: 10.1111/sode.12183.
40. Treat AE, Sheffield Morris A, Williamson AC, Hays-Grudo J, Laurin D. Adverse childhood experiences, parenting, and child executive function. Early Child Dev Care. 2019;189(6):926-37. doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1353978.
2. Diamond A. Why improving and assessing executive functions early in life is critical. 2016. In: Griffin JA, McCardle P, Freund LS, editors. Executive function in preschool-age children: integrating measurement, neurodevelopment, and translational research. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2016, pp.11-44. doi.org/10. 1037/14797-000.
3. Brock LL, Rimm-Kaufman SE, Nathanson L, Grimm KJ. The contributions of ‘hot’and ‘cool’executive function to children’s academic achievement, learning-related behaviors, and engagement in kindergarten. Early Child Res Q. 2009;24(3):337-49. doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2009.06.001.
4. Nayfeld I, Fuccillo J, Greenfield DB. Executive functions in early learning: extending the relationship between executive functions and school readiness to science. Learn Individ Differ. 2013; 26:81-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2013.04.011.
5. Brzozowski AK, Drews-Botsch CD. Early childhood obesity, socioeconomic status, and executive functioning in Atlanta children. Int J Child Adolesc Health. 2015; 8(4):487-95.
6. Moffitt TE, Arseneault L, Belsky D, Dickson N, Hancox RJ, Harrington H, et al. A gradient of childhood self-control predicts health, wealth, and public safety. Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences. 2011;108(7):2693-8. doi:10.1073/pnas.1010076108.
7. Sulik MJ, Blair C, Mills‐Koonce R, Berry D, Greenberg M, Investigators FLP, et al. Early parenting and the development of externalizing behavior problems: longitudinal mediation through children’s executive function. Child Dev.2015;86(5):1588-603. doi:10.1111/cdev.12386.
8. Chubhapukdikul N, Thanasetkorn P, Lertawasadatrakul O, Ruksee N. Tool development and evaluation criteria for assessment of executive function in early childhood. Research report. 1st edition. Bangkok, Thailand: the Health System Research Institute (HSRI), the Institute of Molecular Biosciences and the National Institute for Child and Family Development, Mahidol University. 2017. 229 p. (in Thai).
9. Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. Thai health 2018: Buddhism and the enhancement of well-being. Nakhon Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University; 2018. pp. 18-21 (in Thai).
10. Shonkoff JP, Duncan GJ, Fisher PA, Magnuson K, Raver C; Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Building the brain’s “air traffic control” system: how early experiences shape the development of executive function. Contract. 2011;1-17. Available from: http://www.developingchild.harvard.edu
11. Kaesonbua K, Thamrongat U. A study of preschoolers parenting styles of generation Y parent in Bangkok Metropolitan Area. OJED. 2018;13(3):15-29 (in Thai).
12. Sukadaecha R. A child rearing of Thai families: a systematic integrated literature reviews. J Nurs Sci Health. 2020;43(1):1-9 (in Thai).
13. Seamkhumhom D, Nookong A, Rungamornrat S, Chutabhakdikul N. Factors related to executive functions in preschool-aged children. Thai J Nurs Res. 2019;34(4):80-94 (in Thai).
14. Vučković S, Ručević S, Ajduković M. Parenting style and practices and children’s externalizing behaviour problems: mediating role of children’s executive functions. Eur J Dev Psychol. 2021;18(3):313-29. doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2020.1768067.
15. Bernier A, Carlson SM, Deschênes M, Matte‐Gagné C. Social factors in the development of early executive functioning: a closer look at the caregiving environment. Dev Sci. 2012;15(1):12-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7687. z2011.01093.x.
16. Fay‐Stammbach T, Hawes DJ, Meredith P. Parenting influences on executive function in early childhood: a review. Child Dev Perspect. 2014;8(4):258-64. doi:10.1111/cdep.12095.
17. Bibok MB, Carpendale JI, Müller U. Parental scaffolding and the development of executive function. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev. 2009;123:17-34. DOI: 10.1002/cd.233. PMID: 19306272.
18. Lee MK, Baker S, Whitebread D. Culture‐specific links between maternal executive function, parenting, and preschool children’s executive function in South Korea. Br J Educ Psychol. 2018;88(2):216-35. doi:10.1111/bjep.12221.
19. Distefano R, Galinsky E, McClelland MM, Zelazo PD, Carlson SM. Autonomy-supportive parenting and associations with child and parent executive function. J Appl Dev Psychol. 2018;58:77-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2018.04.007
20. Bradley RH, McKelvey LM, Whiteside‐Mansell L. Does the quality of stimulation and support in the home environment moderate the effect of early education programs?. Child Dev. 2011;82(6):2110-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01659.x.
21. Hackman DA, Gallop R, Evans GW, Farah MJ. Socioeconomic status and executive function: developmental trajectories and mediation. Dev Sci. 2015;18(5):686-702.doi:10.1111/desc.12246.
22. Obradović J, Yousafzai AK, Finch JE, Rasheed MA. Maternal scaffolding and home stimulation: key mediators of early intervention effects on children’s cognitive development. Dev Psychol. 2016;52(9):1409-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000182
23. Carlson, SM, Zelazo, PD, Faja, S. Executive function. In: Zelazo PD. Oxford handbook of developmental psychology Vol. 1: Body and mind. Oxford Handbooks Online; 2013. pp. 1-73 doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199958450.013.0025.
24. Blair C, Granger DA, Willoughby M, Mills‐Koonce R, Cox M, Greenberg MT, et al. Salivary cortisol mediates effects of poverty and parenting on executive functions in early childhood. Child Dev. 2011;82(6):1970-84. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01643.x.
25. Lucassen N, Kok R, Bakermans‐Kranenburg MJ, Van Ijzendoorn MH, Jaddoe VW, Hofman A, et al. Executive functions in early childhood: the role of maternal and paternal parenting practices. Br J Dev Psychol. 2015;33(4):489-505. doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12112.
26. Wagner SL, Cepeda I, Krieger D, Maggi S, D’Angiulli A, Weinberg J, et al. Higher cortisol is associated with poorer executive functioning in preschool children: the role of parenting stress, parent coping and quality of daycare. Child Neuropsychol. 2016; 22(7):853-69. doi.org/10.1080/09297049.2015.1080232.
27. Cuevas K, Deater‐Deckard K, Kim‐Spoon J, Watson AJ, Morasch KC, Bell MA. What’s mom got to do with it? Contributions of maternal executive function and caregiving to the development of executive function across early childhood. Dev Sci. 2014;17(2):224-38. doi: 10.1111/desc.12073.
28. Bindman SW, Hindman AH, Bowles RP, Morrison FJ. The contributions of parental management language to executive function in preschool children. Early Child Res Q. 2013;28(3):529-39. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq. 2013.03.003.
29. Labnok S, Pongjaturawit Y, Chaimongkol N. Predictors of executive function development in preschool children. J Bamrasnaradura Infect Dis Inst. 2020;14(2): 56-67 (in Thai).
30. Thanasetkorn P, Chumchua V, Suttho J, Chutabhakdikul N. The preliminary research study on the impact of the 101S: a guide to positive discipline parent training on parenting practices and preschooler s executive function. Asia-Pac J Res Early Child Educ. 2015;9(1):65-89. doi.org/10.17206/apjrece.2015.9.1.65 (in Thai).
31. Lambert VA, Lambert CE. Qualitative descriptive research: an acceptable design. Pacific Rim Int J Nurs Res. 2012;16(4):255-6.
32. Creswell JW, Poth CN. Qualitative inquiry research design: choosing among five approaches. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications; 2018.
33. Lincoln YS, Guba EG. Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park: Sage; 1985.
34. Hanmethee S, Pitaksinsuk T, Aramrit P. Guide for developing brain executive functions skill for primary teachers.Bangkok: Raklook Group; 2018 (in Thai).
35. Korucu I, Rolan E, Napoli AR, Purpura DJ, Schmitt SA. Development of the Home Executive Function Environment (HEFE) scale: assessing its relation to preschoolers’ executive function. Early Child Res Q. 2019;47:9-19. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.09.001.
36. Conway A, Stifter CA. Longitudinal antecedents of executive function in preschoolers. Child Dev. 2012; 83(3):1022-36.doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01756.x.
37. Eason SH, Ramani GB. Parental guidance and children’s executive function: working memory and planning as moderators during joint problem‐solving. Infant Child Dev. 2017;26(2):e1982. doi: 10.1002/icd.1982.
38. Helm AF, McCormick SA, Deater‐Deckard K, Smith CL, Calkins SD, Bell MA. Parenting and children’s executive function stability across the transition to school. Infant Child Dev. 29(1):1-19. doi: 10.1002/icd. 2171.
39. Baptista J, Osório A, Martins EC, Castiajo P, Barreto AL, Mateus V, et al. Maternal and paternal mental‐state talk and executive function in preschool children. Soc Dev. 2017;26(1):129-45. doi: 10.1111/sode.12183.
40. Treat AE, Sheffield Morris A, Williamson AC, Hays-Grudo J, Laurin D. Adverse childhood experiences, parenting, and child executive function. Early Child Dev Care. 2019;189(6):926-37. doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1353978.
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2021-12-09
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Thisara P, Chotibang J, Fongkaew W, Jintrawet U. Perceptions and Experiences of Mothers on Parenting to Promote Executive Functions in Preschool Children. PRIJNR [Internet]. 2021 Dec. 9 [cited 2024 Dec. 22];26(1):105-20. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/255279
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