Does Preschool Teacher Know Who Is The Ceo Of The Brain?

Abstract

Who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the preschooler’s brain? A question that is worth of asking. The answer is Executive Function or EF. Acting like a CEO who makes major decisions and managing overall operations of the company, EF is doing the same thing. EF is a collection of higher-order prefrontal lobe’s processes that manage cognitive, behavior, and emotional functions especially during purposeful and goal-directed activities. If a preschooler’s EF in a good condition, means he or she is ready for the formal school as EF predict school readiness. Thus, if we truly know and understand about EF, our way of teaching towards preschoolers can be improved to the maximum level. But the question is, does the preschool teacher knows? There were 31 out of 41 teachers from various preschools never heard of this term before. This is a very interesting outcome and therefore, this qualitative research intended to uncover more in depth on this topic by selecting 3 preschool teachers as participants. Interview sessions and observations have been made in order to investigate their knowledge on EF and understand their principles of teaching methods; whether they have established EF enrichment activities. The results concluded that although these teachers never heard of EF before, but a small portion of their activities did reflect on EF training principles. But the true highlight of this study is the socio-emotional support given by them. Although they are lacking of EF knowledge, but the supports given made the preschoolers’ EF at a healthy state.

Keywords: Executive functionpreschoolpreschool childrenpreschool teachersin-service teachers

Introduction

Who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the human brain? A question that is worth of asking. The answer is Executive Function, that goes with abbreviation as EF that is widely been used. But why did it get its appellation as a brain’s CEO? As the highest-ranking officer who heads the company's internal and external affairs, EF also acts in a similar way. Located at the Prefrontal Cortex (Otero & Barker, 2014), EF is seen as a system that regulates all cognitive processes (Raaijmakers et al., 2008) through the activation and deactivation of other parts of the brain (Knight & Stuss, 2002).

To put it in other words, EF works conjointly with other part of the brain in order to perform complex actions (Otero & Barker, 2014). Complex actions that involves with cognitive processes such as reasoning, problem solving, planning and organizing of actions or emotions will runs smoothly with intact EF (Collins & Koechlin, 2012). Intact EF will allow all the human body systems process and respond to the activities as well as interact with the environment accordingly (Goldstein, Naglieri, Princiotta, & Otero, 2014).

Problem Statement

In order to ensure children able to learn well in the class, teachers need extensive knowledge on pedagogy and the development of the children including knowledge about EF. Through the literature, we have found that EF is no least important aspect that need to be focused on by the teachers and it need to be nurtured as well. But the question is, if it is true that EF is so important in early childhood education, do preschool teachers have deep knowledge about it? Do they really execute the nurturing process of EF through their learning activities?

Research Questions

Based on the problem statement, this research was conducted in order to answer two questions. Firstly, what do preschool teachers know about Executive Functions? Secondly, how did the preschool teachers incorporate Executive Functions components into their teaching?

Purpose of the Study

The main aim in this a small scale study reported in this paper is to explore the preschool teachers’ knowledge on EF. The main drive of this study merely resulted from random questioning 41 teachers from various preschools about EF terminology. There were 31 of them never heard of it before. This was a very interesting outcome and therefore, this qualitative research intended to uncover more about their knowledge by selecting 3 preschool teachers as participants. The teachers’ familiarity with EF terms and its relatedness in children development and the activities that can stimulate the EF are the main aspects or themes of this study.

Research Methods

The quest to answer these questions was done using qualitative design; using a single case study method. Semi structured interview technique has been performed to collect the data by preparing open-ended questions with having Morgan-Borkowsky (2012) research as a reference. This interview is conducted by adherence to the interview guide approach which allows interviewer to reworded the questions and change the questions’ order to fit in the interview sessions (Patton, 2015). Although they are some spontaneous questions are asked as a result of the preschool teachers' responses, they are all still based on the objective of the study and the interview guide prepared. An observation in the classroom for each teacher has also been conducted for once. This is only done to ensure a clearer understanding on what has been explained and described by them can be understood more clearly.

Single case study analysis is used where the preschool teachers involved have been interviewed twice until saturation level has been reached. They were selected based on conventional sampling; eventually a private preschool located in Seri Serdang, Selangor was chosen. This preschool has four teachers and a teacher manager; who will involve with teaching on a periodical manner. Among those five teachers (including the teacher manager), only three teachers expressed their willingness to involve in this study. The teachers were given the names of Teacher A, Teacher N and Teacher E to maintain the confidentiality of their identity. Relations (rapport) have been successfully developed beforehand to ensure they are more comfortable and open in response to interview questions.

Findings

Before the findings were explained in depth, the background of the three teachers will be first understood and studied first (table 01 ). All the three of them are female graduates from the local university bachelor's degree. But surprisingly, those degrees are neither related to early childhood education nor a teaching or education related degree. All of them are in their mid-20s, married and no children during the study. At the beginning of Teacher A's career, she was still involved in a work related to her science degree. However, after the contract expired and was unemployed for a while, she accepted the offer to replace her friend’s position as a preschool teacher. She worked there for 2 years before moving to the current preschool which she has now worked for 3 years.

Teacher N on the other hand is a graduate of banking studies but has experience in becoming a replacement teacher in for three years in both primary and secondary schools. She was proud of her rough journey in being a replacement teacher as she was entrusted with various subjects that were not related to her degree. Her dedication was proven when one of the schools she worked with made a request on her to teach there and even paid her using the school’s teacher parent association fund. Although being a replacement teacher for subjects that she was never familiar with, the feeling of burdensome arosed too but her positiveness was shown when she recalled those experiences as somewhat valuable. After the replacement was over, she took the offer to work at the current preschool and thinking it as new adventure.

The third teacher, Teacher E, started her job as a research assistant at the same university while pursuing her bachelor's degree in Malay Literature. For two years, Teacher E assisted the lecturer's research works and at the same time helped the lecturer in delivering tutorial classes for the lecturer’s students. Reflecting on that teaching experience, Teacher E decided to continue her career in education after she received an offer from her friend to teach at the same pre-school as hers. For 3 years, Teacher E has gained valuable experiences including enrichment programs and professional development provided by the preschool management. After married, she decided to work at the current preschool that is nearer to her house.

The similarity trait of these three teachers has is that they did not expect to find interest and excitement in early childhood education (ECE) career before. Being unemployed for a longer time or having insecured job, they decided to accept this job offer so that they can also earn a living. With that mind set at the beginning, they eventually feel that this career is in line with their personality and spirit, as opposed to their their studies that has nothing to do with ECE. It is not uncommon findings as Richardson and Watt (2005) found that some teachers felt that teaching job is more “fit” with themselves and some chose teaching due to inclination towards stable job compared to their previous work. However, interest and fun are insufficient. The government has determined that by 2020, all preschool teachers need to have at least a diploma in ECE (Guru Tadika perlu Miliki Diploma Pengurusan Pendidikan Awal Kanak-kanak, 2016). Innovative in teaching alone is not enough, more preschool teachers with sufficient knowledge and ECE related skills are needed (Guru Berbakat Penentu Kejayaan Pendidikan Awal, 2017) and this includes having the knowledge and skills to enhance preschool children’s EF.

Teacher A and N clearly shown that neither they have prior knowledge nor skills in training children on EF related. They have never heard or read, not even studied about EF before, too. Not only topics about EF, they were both honestly admitted that they are still lacking of skills and knowledge in early childhood pedagogy. Therefore, how did they conduct their teaching all this while? Both of them use the ‘trial and improvement method’ for their teaching. Normally, they will do a brief reading on the sharing of teachers and parents about ECE on social media, then tried to implement the recommended techniques on their lesson plans. Besides that, there were a number of professional development conducted by preschool and they will ensure all the input learned applied in the class. Regardless what method that they want to try, they still adhere to the curriculum prescribed by the preschool management and make modifications according to the current needs of the children. Teacher A admitted, “I do not like to read. Just... I'm a visual learner... I can go to the training and such... but not to the extend to purchase books (on ECE). I’m not going to read it”. Reading additional material on ECE is not favour by her. Hence, it is not surprising if Teacher A has no knowledge of EF.

According to Morgan-Borkowsky (2012) study, middle school teachers in one of the United States district considered themselves as knowledgeable about EF. Unfortunately, it did not reflect during an open-ended questions interview. In fact, they admitted that they did teach their students skills related to EF but Morgan-Borkowsky (2012) found it to be contradicted. If we can get this negative connotation as a result of study on teachers with ECE background, then it is not a surprise outcome for both Teacher A and N for not knowing or teaching EF related skills on the children. Both of them are not even an education related degree holder. Although that is the case, teachers can still learn about EF from time to time through professional development course provided by the management. However, all of the three teachers confirmed that they had never been trained about teaching EF or even discussed about it too. This scenario happened to 90% of the teachers participated in Morgan-Borkowsky (2012) study.

On the contrary, Teacher E was very confident to respond when asked about EF and its importance in ECE. However, the answers given are inaccurate. However, some parts of the answers given by Teacher E are closely related to EF. Teacher E is very clear that EF is related to one's mind; which needed to help one solve the problems and then plan for actions accordingly. To make her explanation clearer, Teacher E gives an example of a situation depicting a group of children being given a ball to play with:

"... When we show them an object for example... a ball for a group of students...we ask them to make an interpretation (against it). Okay. So, each student will give their different interpretations into a variety of meanings. For example, em... a student will say the ball is round. Okay...Other students will say when we throw the ball, the ball will spin... the other student (will) say the shape of the ball is like a sphere, like planet Earth. Therefore, each student has different executive functions ". (Teacher E)

Although the examples given may not have the true meaning of the EF, but the teacher's explanation is slightly related to one of EF 's core functions of mental flexibility. The ability of mental flexibility helps one to think creatively and having a different point of view. Each of the answers given by the child in the Teacher E example is unique and reflects their creativity in ensuring that the answers given are being repeated.

Without a doubt, Teacher E clearly demonstrated her attitude of encouraging preschool children under her care to participate in activities that stimulate creativity (during the observation). Teacher E likes to take the opportunity to do art activities; which stimulates children to create artworks based on their imagination and likings. “No one who is more beautiful”, Teacher E stressed out that she will ensure all of her students know that none of their artworks are superior than the other. To put it another way, all artworks are beautiful and has its own strength and meaning. She wanted all of her students have their self-confident and be brave to voice out opinions. She also likes to give encouragement and always encourage them to work according to their own strengths. The attitude of encouraging, praising all children’s hard work and sometimes rewards them were obviously a part of practice not only in Teacher E, but also in Teacher A and Teacher N teaching practice. Although the interview session was conducted separately, but they could give the same answer when talking about the most important skills needed for them to teach or equipped the children before they leave for primary school. Although it is evident that this preschool does have advance level of reading, writing and maths teaching but they stressed out that being brave and confident are superior quality needed to instil the children. Instilling bravery and confidence is not an easy job and needs a lot of patience with the children as they need a lot practice. This spirit coming from these three teachers is a sign of devote and compassion towards the children.

Being devoted and compassion towards the children is the result of the love they have towards them. Although Teacher A, N and E may not have an in-depth knowledge of EF, but they do nurture the children’s EF indirectly but constantly without a fail. They nurture these children through their abundance of love through their actions and word choices when communicating, entertain each needs of the children, communicate and treat them like an adult, have a fun conversation, always look into the children’s eyes, care for them and established good relationship with the parents has produced positive, cheerful and confident children there. These attributes of the teachers are in-line with the study of Diamond and Lim (2016). According to them, although we can come out with many ways to improve EF skills, the main ‘ingredient’ will always remain the socio-emotional element. Specifically, teachers who are always show their concerns, supports, encouragement and become good listeners will create less stressful, cheerful and healthy children that help them to keep their EF health level at a maximum state. Although we might come to conclusion that these teachers do not have prior knowledge about EF, their teaching principles somewhat indirectly related to EF principles and four of their interventions matched with the recommendation by (Table 02 ). Nevertheless, Morgan-Borkowsky (2012) argued that it is still insufficient as we need to explicitly teach EF skills to the children so that they can be skilfully use them, rather than prodding the skills in the lessons.

Conclusion

Although this is a small-scale study, but the idea was to get a grasp on teacher’s awareness about EF and its importance in preschool children development and readiness. From this study, it is clear that these teachers are not only unfamiliar about EF but they were not given any professional development course about it, too. This can be somehow shows the preschool itself is not providing sufficient training for their teachers. With this information, it is hoped that we can better serve them by equipping materials like developing more local friendly module as well as training. It is recommended that future research can be done with a larger scale study with diverse background of qualifications and preschool settings, too. Last but not least, regardless what kind of methods or skills that we want to instil the children, the best ingredient that need to be put is love, like these three teachers in this study.

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