In this study we aimed to compare the contribution of each play type to the development of different EFs components: shifting, working memory (visuospatial and auditory) and inhibition (two aspects of cognitive inhibition and physical inhibition). Following a preliminary examination of EFs was the intervention, which consisted of 14 play sessions for 20–30 min twice a week. Participants (n = 199, 46.7% females), aged from 52 to 69 months (M = 60.79; SD = 4.10) were assigned to one of five experimental groups: three types of role play (free role play; adult-directed play; child-directed play), digital games, games with rules (board games). All the measured EFs significantly increased following the digital games’ intervention. In ‘Games with rules’ and ‘Adult-directed play’ intervention groups, significant changes were registered in 5 (out of 6) measures of EFs. In the ‘Free play’ and ‘Child-directed play’, significant changes were found in 4 measures of EFs. Differential effect of play on EFs components is discussed. These results demonstrate the importance of play for EFs development and given the differential effect of play types, those can be applied based on the children’s needs.

This study analyzed connections between different components of executive functions (EF; inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility) among 1,075 preschool children in Moscow. The results suggested greater heterochronicity in different EF component levels for girls compared with boys. Factor analysis showed the best fit for a three‐factor model.

Previous research has indicated that young children’s executive functions (EFs) can be bolstered through role-play [e.g. the ‘Batman^™ effect’; White et al.]. However, what is not clear is whether it is the role-playing of another’s perspective, or something about the role played, which is responsible for the Batman^™ effect. The current experiment investigated the effects of role-play of different roles (protagonist, villain, and sage) with different traits (benevolence, malevolence, skill) on 80 five- to six-year-old children’s EF performance. Results indicated significantly improved cold – but not hot – EF scores for the Sage and Control groups. Consistent with Vygotsky’s theory that children transfer imagined content into real-world applications, this study provides preliminary evidence that pretending to be someone with EF skills can bolster young children’s cold EF performance.

As the use of electronic media device is becoming widespread in preschool children, there is an obvious need to explore this new social situation of development and to analyse the effects of digital environment on children’s personality and emotional development.The paper presents data from 65 studies conducted from 2010 to 2020 which were aimed at exploring the effects of screen time and electronic content on child development at preschool age.The results suggest that viewing of inappropriate content is associated with higher aggression levels and lower levels of social skills and prosocial behavior, whereas viewing of appropriate content is associated with higher prosocial behavior and social skills level.The amount of viewing (screen time) is related to higher levels of aggressive behavior and lower levels of prosocial behavior, social skills and cognitive aspects of personality and emotional development.

Previous studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between attending music classes regularly and the development of executive functions. This paper discusses the results of a pilot study dedicated to determining the difference in the level of development of the components of executive functions (inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory), between 5–6-year-old children taking extra music classes, and children who participated only in general music and dance education in kindergarten. A total of 94 senior preschoolers from Moscow kindergartens took part in the study. Children were selected into an “extra music lessons” group and a “general preschool music and dance lessons” group based on the results of a questionnaire on supplementary education, which was filled in by parents prior to the research starting. The respondents from the “extra music and dance lessons” group attended music classes in art schools at least two times a week, both in individual and group formats. The current study revealed that children attending regular extra music classes had a higher level of inhibitory control, audio–verbal working memory, cognitive flexibility, and general coordination of the development of all executive functions. The obtained results support the value of regular extra music classes at preschool age. Moreover, this pilot study allows us to articulate the recommendations for further research in this direction.