Executive Function and Spatial Skills in Children’s Block Play: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

ABSTRACT

Research Findings: There are sparse data on children’s use of executive function (EF) and spatial skills in block play. However, there are important implications for studying EF and spatial skills with blocks across cultures, especially regarding best practices for supporting social-cognitive development in under-resourced populations and consideration of culturally unique customs and practices. Therefore, the current study compared EF-based skills and spatial block building behaviors in Canadian and Tzotzil Maya children. Participants included 82 preschoolers (55% Canadian) ages 48–59 months (M age = 54.37 months, SD = 3.37) observed and coded during a group block play session with peers. Controlling for demographic covariates, a composite EF-based variable including six behaviors (intentional selection of blocks, taking time, response inhibition, replacing/moving blocks, stabilizing, aligning) was significantly and positively associated with spatial configurations in block structures (symmetry, β = .34; tiered orientation, β = .37) The associations did not vary by culture. Practice or Policy: Results provide new knowledge about use of EF-based skills and spatial skills in an ecologically valid context and implications for cross-cultural measurement and practice.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a Concordia University Horizon Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to ZSG, a Concordia University Research Chair in Early Childhood Development and Education awarded to NH, and a SSHRC Insight and Development Grant [# 430-2014-00807] awarded to KAD. We thank the Indigenous Council of Education, Chiapas, Mexico, Margarita Trejo Velasco and Guadalupe Penagos Aguilar who served as data collectors in Chiapas Mexico, the Quebec Association of Preschool Professionals, the YMCAs of Quebec, Luisa Iglio, Maxine Iannuccilli, and Una White who served as data collectors in Quebec, Canada, and the study participants. This research was conducted with Institutional Review Board approval [# 30005525]. We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.