Examining Executive Function in Early Childhood: Context, Individual Differences and Interventions
A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral Neuroscience".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 4
Special Issue Editors
Interests: Executive Function, Preschool Neurodevelopment, Program Evaluation, Interven-tion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: naturalistic developmental and behavioral interventions (NDBI); early childhood inclusive education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Executive function (EF) skills support young children as they learn to pay attention, resolve conflict, problem-solve, and control impulses. Early childhood is a sensitive period for EF development that is marked by rapid neural and behavioral changes. Individual differences in EF emerge early and reflect the interplay of biological, relational, and environmental factors. Children with neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., autism spectrum disorder) and those experiencing contextual adversity (e.g., poverty) may follow distinct EF pathways shaped by both risk and resilience processes.
This Special Issue brings together interdisciplinary research examining EF development and intervention strategies across diverse contexts and cultures. Contributions will include empirical studies, clinical trials, and theoretical frameworks that explore how early experiences shape EF trajectories and how targeted support can optimize developmental outcomes. By deepening understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of EF, this Special Issue aims to inform more nuanced, equitable approaches to intervention and enrich the science of early childhood development.
Prof. Dr. Lisa Boyce
Guest Editor
Dr. Sophia D'Agostino
Guest Editor Assistant
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Keywords
- early childhood
- cognitive development
- executive function
- early intervention
- developmental trajectories
- neurodevelopment
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