Cognitive Development & Executive Function

Question 1

Define cognitive development

Answer 1

• The process of acquiring intelligence & increasingly advanced thought & problem solving ability from infancy to adulthood

Question 2

What are Piaget’s four stages of intellectual (or cognitive) development

Answer 2

• Sensorimotor: birth through ages 18-24mo
• Preoperational: toddlers (18-24mo) through early childhood (age 7yr)
• Concrete operational: ages 7-12yrs
• Formal operational: adolescence through adulthood

Question 3

Describe object permanence

Answer 3

• Important milestone developed b/w 7-9mo
• Infants realize objects exist even if it can’t be seen (sign that memory is developing)
• Increased physical mobility facilitates cognitive development
• Near the end of the sensorimotor stage symbolic abilities develop which facilitate language development

Question 4

Describe development within the pre operational stage (18mo - 7yrs)

Answer 4

• Development of memory & imagination (make believe)
• Based on intuition, not completely logical

Question 5

Describe development within the concrete operational stage (7-12yrs)

Answer 5

• Logical, concrete reasoning
• Less egocentric
• Child can’t think abstractly or hypothetically

Question 6

Describe development within the formal operational stage (adolescent - adult)

Answer 6

• Logically use symbols related to abstract concepts
• Formulate hypothesis, consider possibilities
• Ponder abstract relationships & concepts

Question 7

Define executive function

Answer 7

• Brain processes “connect past experiences with present action”
• Necessary to regulate emotions & impulses

Question 8

Executive function includes

Answer 8

• Remember info
• Evaluate ideas
• Research
• Participate in projects
• Organize
• Set priorities
• Manage time
• Plan future events

Question 9

Define planning/sequencing

Answer 9

• Ability to identify tasks, materials, & time required for an activity
• Determine proper order for tasks to be performed
• Organize participants & materials
• Follow the plan through to completion of activity

Question 10

Define organization

Answer 10

• Ability to obtain & maintain materials in a way that makes them readily available when needed to perform tasks

Question 11

Define time management/prioritization

Answer 11

• Ability to assess the importance of & the amount of time needed to perform each task in order to use time effectively & complete activities accordingly

Question 12

Define flexibility

Answer 12

• Ability to move easily from one task to another & consider adjustments needed to respond appropriately to situations that arise

Question 13

Define working memory

Answer 13

• Ability to retain & retrieve information while performing a task or activity

Question 14

Define metacognition

Answer 14

• Ability to examine one’s thought processes to identify one’s part ion a situation, observe, evaluate one’s actions, & problem solve solutions

Question 15

Define inhibition

Answer 15

• Ability to resist responding to distractions, think before acting or speaking, & delay gratification in light of long-term rewards

Question 16

Define self regulation of emotion

Answer 16

• Ability to manage one’s emotions & consider how to respond appropriately

Question 17

Define initiation

Answer 17

• Ability to begin tasks independently & generate ideas & strategies

Question 18

Define goal directed persistence

Answer 18

• Ability to maintain focus on a goal & persevere through challenging tasks necessary to achieve the goal

Question 19

Executive dysfunction is common in which developmental disorders

Answer 19

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Conduct Disorders/impulse control disorder
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
• Brain Trauma (TBI)

Question 20

Describe executive dysfunction

Answer 20

• Person’s ability to perform executive functions is impaired
• Executive functions arise from the pre-frontal cortex (one of the last areas of he brain to develop)
• Skills may not fully develop until late adolescence

Question 21

Support interventions for executive dysfunction

Answer 21

• Limit distractions
• Reduce background noise
• Encourage one task at a time
• Avoid excess clutter in environment
• Designate areas for specific tasks
• Be consistent

Question 22

For executive function & self regulation skills for developing children what 3 dimensions should I focus on

Answer 22

• Working memory
• Inhibitory control
• Cognitive flexibility
• These skills help to retain info, filter distractions, resist inappropriate impulses, and sustain attention during an activity

Question 23

Executive function activities for 6-18mo

Answer 23

• Lap games: Peek a Boo, patty cake
• Hiding games: Hide a toy
• Imitation / Copy games: Turn taking
• Simple role play: Everyday tasks (sweeping)
• Fingerplays: Eensy weensy spider
• Conversations: Talking to the infant, looking at books

Question 24

Executive function activities for 18-32mo

Answer 24

• Active Games: Follow the leader, Hokey Pokey, fingerplays
• Conversation and Storytelling: Narrate their play, talk about events and share feelings
• Matching/Sorting: size, shape, puzzles
• Imaginary Play: Ask questions, play along

Question 25

Executive function activities for 3-5yrs

Answer 25

• Imaginary Play: Use books, videos, props
• Storytelling: Encourage child to tell, draw and write out their stories
• Movement Games and Songs: Playground equipment, obstacle course, yoga, freeze dance
• Quiet Games & Activities: Matching, sorting, puzzles

Question 26

Executive function activities for 5-7yrs

Answer 26

• Card and Board Games: Concentration, Uno, Sorry!
• Physical Activities/ Games: Red light, Green light. Mother may I? Simon Says
• Movement / Song Games: Clapping rhythms (Mary Mack) copy games, songs that repeat
• Quiet Activities for strategy & reflection: Brain teasers, guessing games, I Spy