Attention and Executive Control

Abstract

This chapter reviews evidence regarding the development of executive functions, their role in acquisition of academic abilities, and how information about their neural underpinnings provides insight into the mutual development of executive function and academic skills. Executive functions allow us to interact with the world in a purposive, goal directed manner. Executive function has been conceptualized both as a unitary, supervisory function and as a set of component skills. Executive functions involve a brain network including prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and subcortical structures. Postnatal development of the cortex involves both progressive changes, such as synapse formation and myelination, as well as regressive changes, such as synapse elimination. Working memory provides temporary storage and manipulation of information skills that are necessary for complex cognitive tasks including reading comprehension, learning, reasoning, and mathematics. Executive functions include the basic skills of inhibition, working memory, and switching ability, and in adults are mediated by a brain network.

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