Development of Recreation Program for Enhancing Executive Functions of Early Childhood in The Center for Developing Early Childhood Bangmueng
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Abstract
This quasi-experimental research aimed to develop a recreation program for enhancing executive functions of early childhood in the center for developing early childhood Bangmueng, and to study the effects of participation in the recreation program. The sample consisted of 60 students from the center for developing early childhood Bangmueng, selected through the assessment of executive function in early childhood and match-paired sampling into experimental and control groups (30 each). The research instruments included: 1) the assessment of executive functions in early childhood with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.78; 2) an 8-week recreation program for enhancing executive functions of early childhood, validated as appropriate; and 3) behavioral observation for executive functions of early childhood with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.96. Data were analyzed by using mean, standard deviation, and t-test. The results showed that 1) the developed recreation program was suitable for early childhood based on the APIE program design concept and Six Key Elements of Situated Activity System; 2) after participating in the 8-week recreation program, the experimental group had more improved executive functions than before participating at the statistic of .05 level; and 3) after participated in the recreation program, the experimental group had more improved executive functions than the control group at .05. In conclusion, the recreation program had an effect on executive functions in early childhood in the center for developing early childhood Bangmueng and is suitable for further implementation.
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