Latent EC at age 3 does not predict mathematics achievement, but EC at ages 3.75, 4.5, and 5.25 shows independent prospective links with mathematics¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2014 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Latent EC at 3 years did not predict mathematics achievement, whereas higher latent EC at 3.75 years was associated with higher concurrent TEMA-3 and Applied Problems performance independent of processing speed and language. → Clark 2014 q3 i? EC at 4.5 and 5.25 years was independently related to concurrent and follow-up mathematics performance. → Clark 2014

Evidence¶

Clark 2014¶

Clark, C. A. C., Nelson, J. M., Garza, J., Sheffield, T. D., Wiebe, S. A., & Espy, K. A. (2014). Gaining control: changing relations between executive control and processing speed and their relevance for mathematics achievement over course of the preschool period. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00107

q3 · i? · associational · r2

Structural models regressing TEMA-3 and WJ-III Applied Problems scores at each time point on processing speed, EC, and language latents. EC at 4.5 predicted concurrent Applied Problems and 5.25 follow-up; EC at 5.25 predicted concurrent TEMA-3 and Applied Problems (all model χ²(76), p < 0.001).

"However, latent EC at 3 years did not predict mathematics achievement. In contrast, higher latent EC at 3.75 years was associated with higher concurrent TEMA-3 and Applied Problems performance, independent of process- ing speed and language proficiency"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• At age 3, executive task performance does not form a coherent latent EC factor independent of processing speed — related
• By age 5.25, executive tasks load significantly and consistently on a distinct EC latent factor — related
• EC factor loadings on executive tasks strengthen and stabilize across the preschool period — related
• A unitary EC factor is preferred over separate working memory and inhibitory control factors at age 5.25 even after accounting for processing speed and language — related
• Language proficiency predicts residual variance in executive performance not explained by processing speed at all preschool age points — related
• Effortful control predicts social functioning, which predicts achievement, controlling for SES, age, and sex — related
• Social functioning fully mediates the relation between early effortful control and later academic achievement — related
• Children's adult-reported and observed effortful control in early elementary school prospectively predicts academic achievement 6 years later — related