Emphasizing the Developmental Trajectory of Executive Functions in Preschool, School Children, Adolescence, and Its Relations With School Performance

Abstract

The chapter attempts to emphasize the development of executive functions in preschool, elementary school children, and adolescents. Executive functions refer to a wide range of higher cognitive processes that regulate behavior, emotion, and cognition and are generally conceptualized as an umbrella term. Moreover, the developmental trajectory of executive functions is noted to be greatly progressing in preschool and school-age children. Although they emerge during the toddler period, early childhood years underline a rapid increase in executive functions. In the chapter, the emphasis is on the developmental journey and maturations of executive function from preschool children to elementary school children and adolescents as well.