Executive Function in Preschool Children: Test–Retest Reliability

Abstract

Research suggests that executive function (EF) may distinguish between children who are well- or ill-prepared for kindergarten; however, little is known about the test–retest reliability of measures of EF for children. We aimed to establish a battery of EF measures that are sensitive to both development and individual differences across the preschool period using Conflict and Delay subtests that had a cool (abstract) or hot (extrinsic reward) focus. Results from 151 children in three age groups (2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 years) suggested acceptable same-day test–retest reliability on all but Delay–Cool subtasks. These findings will inform appropriate measurement selection and development for future studies.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by NICHD (5R01HD051495) awarded to SMC.

In addition to the participating families, we thank Liliana Lengua for design consultation and research assistants Petrina Lin, Elizabeth Newmark, Joy Kawamura, and Katrina Amon.

Notes

Note. Total possible points on conflict = 48, delay = 9.

***p < .001.