The effects of a pretend play-based learning enhancement program on preschoolers’ executive function development
Keywords:
Executive function, Preschoolers, Pretend play, Learning enhancement programAbstract
Preschoolers are in a critical period for the development of executive functions (EF). It has been found that Thai preschoolers have executive function development below the average level, which may hinder their ability to regulate behavior and achieve successful learning outcomes. Grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory, this quasi-experimental study examined the effects of a pretend play–based learning enhancement program on preschoolers’ executive function development. The participants consisted of 30 preschoolers aged 4–5 years enrolled in Kindergarten Level 2, who were divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Research instruments included a pretend play-based learning enhancement program for a period of five weeks. The scale-level content validity index was equal to 1.00 and the Executive Functions Assessment for Preschool Children (MU.EF-101), which demonstrated acceptable reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .77. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an independent
t-test to compare the mean scores of executive function development between the experimental and control groups. Additionally, chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were employed to examine differences in the general characteristics of preschoolers and their primary caregivers. The results revealed that after the intervention, the experimental group showed a significantly higher mean executive function score compared with the pretest (d=1.41, t=10.67, p<.001). Furthermore, the posttest executive function scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (d=1.46, t=3.86, p<.001). These findings suggest that a pretend play-based learning enhancement program is effective and can be implemented as an intervention to promote executive function development among preschoolers.
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