July 2014 PMID 25071617

Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning.

Jane E Barker, Andrei D Semenov, Laura Michaelson, Lindsay S Provan, Hannah R Snyder, Yuko Munakata

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Peak: 7 in Jan 2020

across 7 sources since Mar 2017

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What people are saying

The collective discussions demonstrate strong support and enthusiasm, emphasizing the significance of less-structured activities in early childhood development through enthusiastic language like 'important,' 'amazing,' and 'game changer.' The tone and choice of words reflect both interest and recognition of the research's potential to influence parenting and educational approaches.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the article’s premise that less-structured time benefits children's executive functions, with phrases like 'amazing study' and 'making the case for' indicating strong agreement.

InterestHigh interest

Posts express high curiosity and enthusiasm, shown through words such as 'interesting,' 'fun fact,' and 'game changer,' reflecting genuine engagement with the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Discussions delve into implications, sharing related studies and personal insights, demonstrating a deep connection with the research.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions highlight how this research could influence parenting and educational practices, with phrases like 'significant impact' and 'long-term improvements,' implying the findings hold substantial importance.

Abstract in brief

The study found that children who spend more time in lessstructured activities tend to develop better self-directed executive functioning, which involves deciding on their own when and how to act, while more structured activities are linked to poorer development of these skills.
The research used parent reports about children's daily routines and a verbal fluency task to measure self-directed executive functioning, revealing a clear relationship between lessstructured time and improved self-guided decision-making.
These findings suggest that unstructured play and activities may provide essential opportunities for children to practice independence and self-regulation, highlighting the importance of lessstructured time in early childhood development.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

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Impact of Unstructured Activities on Children's Executive Functions

This video explores how less-structured activities in children's daily routines promote self-directed executive functioning, supporting independence and self-regulation during early childhood.

베싸TV, 과학과 Fact로 육아하기 · Apr 2, 2024 28,089 views

つばき

@tsubaki290630 · X

RT @irico1987: 自由遊びが実行機能を高める！みたいなのどっかで見たことあるけど、これが元ネタなんかな。 https://t.co/TqehBsAYIN

May 14, 2023 · 1 share · 1,224 followers View post →

いりこ

@irico1987 · X

自由遊びが実行機能を高める！みたいなのどっかで見たことあるけど、これが元ネタなんかな。 https://t.co/TqehBsAYIN

May 14, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 516 followers View post →

The KPU Lifespan Cognition Lab

@Lifespancog_lab · X

FUN FACT FRIDAY! Kids have better self-directed executive functioning (e.g., planning) if they spend more time doing less-structured activities! See the article by Barker et al. (2014)! https://t.co/QoEHhvCQ89 #kpupsych #funfact #cognition #psychology #children https://t.co/8cpwS1HjaI

Feb 17, 2023 · 80 followers View post →

All Files&News

@AllFilesNews1 · X

Frontiers | Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning | Psychology https://t.co/S2L3FOlO5l

Sep 6, 2022 · 116 followers View post →

Doğal Eğitim

@dogalegitim · X

https://t.co/eTqvH70OCU

Feb 18, 2022 · 53 followers View post →

Yayoi

@359628466a · X

RT @myuuko: 子どもの日常生活において「構造化されていない」時間が長いほどその子の実行機能（言語流暢性課題の成績）が高かったよという2014年の研究。/ Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts s…

May 14, 2021 · 4 shares · 14 followers View post →

冬眠中のF

@DAMDAMF_M · X

May 14, 2021 · 4 shares · 239 followers View post →

Kohei_Oka

@aloha_koh · X

May 14, 2021 · 4 shares · 9,379 followers View post →

Yuuko Morimoto

@myuuko · X

May 14, 2021 · 31 likes · 4 shares · 9,275 followers View post →

Maisarah Rahim

@MaisarahRahim5 · X

Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning https://t.co/vM3D93mqly

Sep 20, 2020 View post →

Boyd Adolfsson @ IDE

@Boyd_IDE · X

RT @nsulla: Great article making the case for #LATIC and executive function! Thanks for sharing it with me ⁦@gaby13rh⁩ https://t.co/JArabz…

Jan 14, 2020 · 2 shares · 77 followers View post →

Boyd Adolfsson @ IDE

@Boyd_IDE · X

RT @IDECorp: Interesting report on the benefits of less-structured time and building students' #executivefunctioning skills - #studentcente…

Jan 7, 2020 · 2 shares · 77 followers View post →

Christina Cabral

@IDECabral · X

RT @IDECorp: Interesting report on the benefits of less-structured time and building students' #executivefunctioning skills - #studentcente…

Jan 6, 2020 · 2 shares · 36 followers View post →

IDE Corp.

@IDECorp · X

Interesting report on the benefits of less-structured time and building students' #executivefunctioning skills - #studentcentered #LATIC - https://t.co/i1t9L3UbIR

Jan 6, 2020 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 1,931 followers View post →

Mike Tozzi

@mr_mtozzi · X

RT @nsulla: Great article making the case for #LATIC and executive function! Thanks for sharing it with me ⁦@gaby13rh⁩ https://t.co/JArabz…

Jan 4, 2020 · 2 shares · 441 followers View post →

Nancy Sulla

@nsulla · X

Great article making the case for #LATIC and executive function! Thanks for sharing it with me ⁦@gaby13rh⁩ https://t.co/JArabzNyyv

Jan 3, 2020 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 3,009 followers View post →

Gaby Richard-Harrington

@gaby13rh · X

Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning https://t.co/6r227UrmZH @nsulla @learningcenteredteaching #latic

Jan 3, 2020 · 4 likes · 1,567 followers View post →

AAA State of Play

@AAAStateOfPlay · X

An interesting look into why the more time that children spend in less-structured activities, the better their self-directed executive functioning will be. https://t.co/X5Eyo2gncR

Jul 12, 2019 · 1,658 followers View post →

Hearts at Play Move, Learn, Bloom

@HeartsatPlay · X

RT @KimberlyEHart: Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning [STUDY]: https://t.co/8HoJ00…

Jul 9, 2019 · 1 share · 10,080 followers View post →

Kimberly Hart

@KimberlyEHart · X

Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning [STUDY]: https://t.co/8HoJ00vR8N #Playmatters https://t.co/nJZPChd7mY

Jul 8, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 8,630 followers View post →

Kimberly Hart

@KimberlyEHart · X

An amazing study. Less-structured time in children's daily lives predict self-directed executive functioning: https://t.co/8HoJ00vR8N #Playmatters https://t.co/SJ3jMySin8

Jul 5, 2019 · 19 likes · 8 shares · 8,630 followers View post →

Paul Main

@paulmain79 · X

“Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning” https://t.co/2BcSQZ78Qk

Jun 21, 2019 · 2,821 followers View post →

Douglas Graiver

@DouglasGraiver · X

https://t.co/94eepZGTR5

May 9, 2019 · 19 followers View post →

Paul Main

@paulmain79 · X

Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning https://t.co/2BcSQZ78Qk

Apr 27, 2019 · 2,821 followers View post →

Giorgio Bertini

@gfbertini · X

Less-structured time in children’s daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning | Learning Sciences https://t.co/3gwzEKB5QM

Apr 8, 2019 · 1 like · 2,264 followers View post →

Carol Black

@cblack__ · X

@heathermalin @JtuckerJames @emilesnyder And this study showing that less-structured time in children’s daily lives predicts long-term improvements in self-directed executive functioning (regardless of whether it increases test scores.) https://t.co/OY7oTv8Zm5

Jan 23, 2019 · 3,856 followers View post →

Ms. Baker's K

@Baker1973Cathy · X

RT @nadine1osborne: Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning https://t.co/0qQR0kl7kG

Jan 4, 2019 · 1 share · 586 followers View post →

Nadine Osborne

@nadine1osborne · X

Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning https://t.co/0qQR0kl7kG

Jan 3, 2019 · 1 share · 1,635 followers View post →

Kids benefit from less-structured activities for executive functioning

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Structured learning in a nursery : r/ScienceBasedParenting

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The first topic I'd like to talk about and explore is young children's ...

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Less-structured time in children's daily lives predicts self-directed executive functioning.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Minimalist Montessori Parenting: Key Shifts for Simplicity and Growth

Rethinking Minimalism: What It Really Means for Modern Lives

Impact of Unstructured Activities on Children's Executive Functions