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Executive function is associated with the development of math performance in children born at <30 weeks' gestation or

Simonne E Collins1, Alice C Burnett2, Philippa Pyman1

  • 1Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University.

Neuropsychology
|October 31, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Executive function (EF) skills like cognitive flexibility and goal setting are strongly linked to math performance in very preterm children. Early EF abilities predict later math computation skills in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Children born extremely preterm or with very low birth weight are at higher risk for developmental challenges.
  • Executive functions (EF) are crucial cognitive processes that develop throughout childhood.
  • Math computation skills are foundational for academic success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between specific executive function (EF) domains and math computation performance in children born <30 weeks' gestation or weighing <1,250 g at ages 7 and 13 years.
  • To determine if 7-year-old EF predicts 13-year-old math performance in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, longitudinal cohort study was conducted.
  • Executive function and math performance were assessed at 7 and 13 years in children born <30 weeks' gestation or <1,250 g.
  • Linear regression models analyzed associations between EF domains and math performance.

Main Results:

  • All assessed EF domains demonstrated strong positive associations with concurrent math performance at both 7 and 13 years.
  • Early EF at age 7 years positively predicted math performance at age 13 years.
  • Cognitive flexibility and goal setting at age 7 showed the strongest predictive associations with later math performance.

Conclusions:

  • Executive function is significantly associated with math performance in children born extremely preterm or with very low birth weight.
  • Early cognitive flexibility and goal setting are critical for predicting future math computation abilities in this population.
  • Interventions targeting EF may improve math outcomes for high-risk children.
Abstract

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