school readiness

Executive function (EF) is foundational for school readiness, mental health, and social adaptation. Although cross-national studies document cultural variation in EF, less is known about whether EF differs across ethnic groups within the same national and educational context. In China, Yi, Bai, and Naxi children may differ in home language, childrearing practices, and educational beliefs, making them informative for examining universal and context-specific patterns of EF development. This study examined Executive Function (EF) development in a sample of 190 Chinese ethnic children (Yi, Bai, Naxi; 115 boys, 75 girls) aged 4–6 years. These findings revealed that, (1) Overall EF scores were highest for Bai children, followed by Naxi children, and than Yi children. (2) For inhibition control (IC), at ages 4 and 5, Bai and Naxi children performed significantly better than Yi children, whereas no significant differences were observed among the three ethnic groups at age 6. (3) For cognitive flexibility (CF), Bai and Naxi children are significantly better than Yi children. On the size, color, and shape sub-dimensions, pass rates were highest for Bai children, followed by Naxi and then Yi children; on the quantity sub-dimension, pass rates were highest for Naxi children, followed by Bai and then Yi children. (4) For working memory (WM), at ages 4 and 6, the ranking of scores across the three ethnic groups showed that Bai children obtained the highest scores, followed by Naxi children and than Yi children; at age 5, Bai children scored significantly higher than Naxi and Yi children. These findings contribute to theories of EF development by revealing both age-related convergence and cross-ethnic variation, and they inform culturally responsive early childhood education and intervention.

This action research study examined the relationship between social–emotional learning (SEL) and early mathematical achievement among transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students in a large urban Title I elementary school. National organizations emphasize that high-quality mathematics instruction for young children must consider cognitive, linguistic, physical, and social–emotional development. Guided by this framework, the study investigated whether systematic SEL instruction using the district adopted Second Step curriculum would increase students’ SEL competencies and support growth in foundational math skills measured by the Eureka Math Module 4 assessment. Using a pre- and post-test design, data were collected from eight students who received structured SEL and mathematics instruction over one semester. Results indicated consistent improvement in students’ SEL competencies, including executive functioning skills, alongside significant gains in mathematical performance. These findings align with prior research suggesting that SEL supports school readiness, adaptive learning behaviors, and academic achievement.

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.

This descriptive-survey study assessed the readiness of kindergarten learners in Barobo II District, Schools Division of Surigao del Sur, as basis for a School Readiness Enhancement Plan. Using an adopted ECCD-based questionnaire, the study examined seven developmental domains: gross motor, fine motor, self-help adaptive, social/emotional, receptive language, expressive language, and cognitive skills. The supplied data comprised 12 learner readiness records assessed through teacher ratings and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Results showed an overall High Readiness level (WM = 4.15, SD = 0.47). Gross motor skills (WM = 4.33) and cognitive skills (WM = 4.22) attained Very High Readiness, while fine motor, self-help adaptive, social/emotional, receptive language, and expressive language were rated High Readiness. Specific skills requiring further reinforcement were identified, particularly in self-help adaptive, expressive language, and selected fine motor and receptive language indicators. Based on these findings, a School Readiness Enhancement Plan was proposed to sustain developmental strengths and address areas needing additional support through coordinated school- and home-based interventions.

این پژوهش توصیفی-پیمایشی به ارزیابی میزان آمادگی نوآموزان پیش‌دبستانی در ناحیه باروبو II، اداره آموزش سورگائو دل سور، به‌عنوان مبنایی برای برنامه ارتقاء آمادگی مدرسه پرداخت. با استفاده از پرسشنامه اقتباس‌شده مبتنی بر ECCD، این مطالعه هفت حوزه رشدی را مورد بررسی قرار داد: مهارت‌های حرکتی درشت، مهارت‌های حرکتی ظریف، مهارت‌های خودیاری-انطباقی، اجتماعی/هیجانی، زبان دریافتی، زبان بیانی و مهارت‌های شناختی. داده‌های ارائه‌شده شامل ۱۲ پرونده آمادگی نوآموزان بود که از طریق ارزیابی معلمان گردآوری و با استفاده از فراوانی، درصد، میانگین و انحراف معیار تحلیل شد. نتایج نشان داد که سطح کلی آمادگی «بالا» بوده است (WM = 4.15، SD = 0.47). مهارت‌های حرکتی درشت (WM = 4.33) و مهارت‌های شناختی (WM = 4.22) به سطح «بسیار بالا» دست یافتند، در حالی که مهارت‌های حرکتی ظریف، خودیاری-انطباقی، اجتماعی/هیجانی، زبان دریافتی و زبان بیانی در سطح «بالا» ارزیابی شدند. مهارت‌های خاصی که نیاز به تقویت بیشتر داشتند، به‌ویژه در حوزه‌های خودیاری-انطباقی، زبان بیانی و برخی شاخص‌های مهارت‌های حرکتی ظریف و زبان دریافتی شناسایی شدند. بر اساس این یافته‌ها، برنامه‌ای برای ارتقاء آمادگی مدرسه پیشنهاد شد تا نقاط قوت رشدی حفظ شده و حوزه‌های نیازمند حمایت بیشتر از طریق مداخلات هماهنگ مدرسه‌محور و خانواده‌محور مورد توجه قرار گیرند.

This article examines the socio-pedagogical and psychological significance of developing core competencies in preschool children aged 6–7. It analyzes the issues of ensuring continuity between preschool and primary education, implementing a learner-centered approach, and consistently developing communicative, social, cognitive, and personal competencies in children. Furthermore, the paper discusses the necessity of creating comprehensive pedagogical conditions for a child's successful adaptation to the school environment, their transition to a new social status, and the enhancement of their cognitive activity.

این مقاله به بررسی اهمیت اجتماعی-تربیتی و روان‌شناختی توسعه شایستگی‌های پایه در کودکان پیش‌دبستانی ۶ تا ۷ ساله می‌پردازد. در این پژوهش، مسائل مربوط به تضمین تداوم بین آموزش پیش‌دبستانی و ابتدایی، اجرای رویکرد یادگیرنده‌محور و توسعه مستمر شایستگی‌های ارتباطی، اجتماعی، شناختی و فردی در کودکان تحلیل می‌شود. همچنین، ضرورت ایجاد شرایط جامع تربیتی برای سازگاری موفق کودک با محیط مدرسه، گذار او به وضعیت اجتماعی جدید و ارتقای فعالیت شناختی وی مورد بحث قرار گرفته است.