The Relationship Between Working Memory And Inhibition Control Of 3-6 Years Old Children

Working memory and inhibitory control are two core components of EFs, which have developed fast during 3-6 years old. However, there is still controversy on the relationship between them. On the basis of previous studies, this study will divide working memory into simple and complex working memory to explore the relationship between these two capacities and inhibitory control. All of this would make the theory of EFs more perfect and provide theoretical support to promote the development of EFs in children.Six tasks were selected to evaluate these three components; they are Video delay task, Go/No-go task, Delayed response task, Sequential memory task, Updating task, Reverse memory. To improve the accuracy of measurement, all of tasks will be computerized.124 children from two kindergartens in Beijing were measure by two tablet computers. The results showed that there are significant differences in simple working memory tasks between 3-6 years old children, and in inhibition control and complex working memory tasks between 4-6 years old; Model 1 which based on inhibitory control is the better model. Conclusion:Simple working memory has significantly developed during the period of 3-6, while the inhibition control and complex working memory were significantly developed after age 4;In the early development of EFs, inhibition control is the most basic elements, and simple working memory is a complete mediation between inhibition control and complex working memory.