Investigating Preschoolers’ Executive Functions and Math Language During Group Block Play

Image of children's blocks.

How do young children regulate behaviors and use math language during play with peers? 

Project description

Group block play is an early STEM activity commonly used in preschool classrooms. Although research has found that engaging young children in block play helps to promote development of math, spatial, and executive functioning skills, it is less clear what mechanisms support this development. In this project, researchers will investigate how young children apply executive functions and use mathematical language during dynamic group block play. Researchers will specifically engage in video coding of young children engaged in block play to help develop observational checklists. Researchers will also aid in the statistical analysis of coded data to assess the reliability and validity of the checklist, and relations among executive functioning and math language use during play. This project will improve understanding of mechanisms underlying a popular and effective early childhood STEM activity and aid in future efforts to guide early childhood STEM instruction. 

Project outcome

Students will earn a Mentored Research digital badge throughout the project. They will set individual goals and gain content knowledge in early childhood cognitive development and methodological knowledge in video coding and statistical analysis –specifically the validation of observational checklists. They will receive individualized mentorship towards their specific goals. They also have the opportunity to engage with an independent research question using the data, if desired. Students will gain experience in summarizing results of a study in language that is accessible to teachers and parents. There will be opportunities for undergraduate researchers to present research findings from the project at a research conference (with funding) and opportunities to co-author research publications in education or cognitive development academic journals. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Longer than a semester (about 6-9 months)
Start time

Spring

Summer
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-person
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students)
Benefits

Stipend

Potential academic credit
Who is eligible

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors

Project mentor

Brianna Devlin

Assistant Professor

Learning and Instruction

Phone: (716) 645-4043

Email: bdevlin@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

  • Complete CITI Human Subjects Research training and Responsible Conduct of Research training
  • Read Bryant et al., 2024 and McCoy 2019
Bryant et al.
McCoy et al.

Keywords

learning and instruction, early childhood, play, math, preschool, psychology, education, cognitive science