International Journal of Innovation and Pedagogy

Executive functions (EF) predict school readiness and later adjustment. The cultural-historical tradition gives play a central place in preschool education, yet it remains unclear which types of play, under what conditions, and through which pathways support EF between the ages of 3 and 6. This article aims to critically analyze the evidence on play and EF in this age range, distinguishing between efficacy, association, and mechanism. The method was a systematic review with narrative synthesis, reported according to PRISMA 2020. Of 88 records (2000–2026), 21 primary studies provided direct evidence and 26 works provided complementary evidence. Rule-based games and pretend play showed favorable effects in studies with active control conditions, particularly on inhibitory control. However, the largest-scale curricular study found no effects, and block play showed no main effects. Benefits tend to be concentrated among children with initial disadvantages, and evidence on working memory, cognitive flexibility, and transfer to the classroom is scarce. In conclusion, play appears to be a promising context rather than an effective intervention in itself; its effects depend on executive demand, adult mediation, progression, and implementation fidelity.