Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior Problems
The objective of this study was to examine whether fine motor skills (FMS) and executive function (EF) are unique predictors of school readiness (SR). The sample was 108 preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems (EBP; Mean ± SD = 60.37 ± 3.94 months pre-intervention, 68% male) enrolled in a...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/5/708 |
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| author | Atefeh Karimi Bridget Poznanski Katie C. Hart Eliza L. Nelson |
| author_facet | Atefeh Karimi Bridget Poznanski Katie C. Hart Eliza L. Nelson |
| author_sort | Atefeh Karimi |
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| description | The objective of this study was to examine whether fine motor skills (FMS) and executive function (EF) are unique predictors of school readiness (SR). The sample was 108 preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems (EBP; Mean ± SD = 60.37 ± 3.94 months pre-intervention, 68% male) enrolled in a comprehensive 7-week school readiness summer program open trial. FMS were measured with the Learning Accomplishment Profile Diagnostic Third Edition (LAP-D); EF was measured with the Head–Toes–Knees–Shoulders (HTKS), and SR was measured with the Bracken School Readiness Assessment Third Edition (BSRA-3). All assessments were given pre- and post-intervention. All models controlled for participant age and socio-economic status (SES). Examining data pre-intervention, FMS but not EF uniquely predicted SR, explaining 46% of the variance. At post-intervention, both FMS and EF predicted SR, explaining 33% of the variance. These findings underscore the importance of screening both FMS and EF in preschoolers with EBP as they prepare to transition to kindergarten, as these domains both contribute to characterizing SR. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-38677d411650459082f3977dcbd42d9f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-38677d411650459082f3977dcbd42d9f2025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-05-0115570810.3390/bs15050708Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior ProblemsAtefeh Karimi0Bridget Poznanski1Katie C. Hart2Eliza L. Nelson3Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USADepartment of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USADepartment of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USAThe objective of this study was to examine whether fine motor skills (FMS) and executive function (EF) are unique predictors of school readiness (SR). The sample was 108 preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems (EBP; Mean ± SD = 60.37 ± 3.94 months pre-intervention, 68% male) enrolled in a comprehensive 7-week school readiness summer program open trial. FMS were measured with the Learning Accomplishment Profile Diagnostic Third Edition (LAP-D); EF was measured with the Head–Toes–Knees–Shoulders (HTKS), and SR was measured with the Bracken School Readiness Assessment Third Edition (BSRA-3). All assessments were given pre- and post-intervention. All models controlled for participant age and socio-economic status (SES). Examining data pre-intervention, FMS but not EF uniquely predicted SR, explaining 46% of the variance. At post-intervention, both FMS and EF predicted SR, explaining 33% of the variance. These findings underscore the importance of screening both FMS and EF in preschoolers with EBP as they prepare to transition to kindergarten, as these domains both contribute to characterizing SR.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/5/708fine motor skillsexecutive functionschool readinessexternalizing behaviorpreschoolers |
| spellingShingle | Atefeh Karimi Bridget Poznanski Katie C. Hart Eliza L. Nelson Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior Problems Behavioral Sciences fine motor skills executive function school readiness externalizing behavior preschoolers |
| title | Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior Problems |
| title_full | Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior Problems |
| title_fullStr | Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior Problems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior Problems |
| title_short | Fine Motor Skills, Executive Function, and School Readiness in Preschoolers with Externalizing Behavior Problems |
| title_sort | fine motor skills executive function and school readiness in preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems |
| topic | fine motor skills executive function school readiness externalizing behavior preschoolers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/5/708 |
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