ABSTRACT

Executive Functions (EFs) are crucial top-down processes characterized by cool and hot aspects, required for goal-directed behaviour. Only a few studies evaluated and trained concurrently cool and hot EFs. Therefore, we promote a training aiming to enhance both EFs components. A total of 91 children attending the second year of kindergarten were involved. Forty-two children attended the EFs training, while forty-nine children represented the active control group. The training was proposed twice a week for three months. The twenty sessions were divided as follows: 10 were focused on cool EFs, while the last 10 were related to hot EFs. The children were evaluated before and after the trainings with tasks including inhibition, working memory, delay of gratification, and emotion regulation. The results indicate increased cool and hot EFs abilities in children who attended the EFs training. Data are discussed in terms of developmental implications and highlights the importance to promote training focused also on hot EFs aspects.

摘要

执行功能 (EF) 是关键的自上而下的过程，其特征是冷热方面，是目标导向行为所必需的。只有少数研究同时评估和训练冷热 EF。因此，我们促进了旨在增强两个 EF 组成部分的培训。共有91名就读幼儿园二年级的儿童参与。42 名儿童参加了 EFs 培训，而 49 名儿童代表了主动对照组。培训建议每周两次，为期三个月。20 场会议划分如下：10 场侧重于冷 EF，而最后 10 场与热门 EF 相关。孩子们在训练前后进行了评估，任务包括抑制、工作记忆、延迟满足和情绪调节。结果表明参加 EFs 培训的儿童的冷热 EFs 能力增加。数据在发展影响方面进行了讨论，并强调了促进也关注热点 EF 方面的培训的重要性。