A influência da parentalidade no desenvolvimento do funcionamento executivo de crianças na primeira infância

Abstract

This dissertation aimed to investigate the influence of parenting on the development of executive functioning in early childhood. Executive functions, such as inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, are core cognitive skills essential for behavioral, social, and academic adjustment. This study sought to analyze how parenting practices, caregiving styles, and aspects of the family environment can impact this development during one of the most critical periods of life. An integrative literature review was conducted, grounded in an interactionist approach to human development, which considers the dynamic interplay between biological and contextual factors as constitutive of cognitive and behavioral trajectories. The analyzed studies indicate that dimensions such as parental sensitivity, responsiveness, positive discipline, and the emotional stability of caregivers are significantly associated with children’s performance on executive function tasks. In contrast, risk factors such as toxic stress, neglect, and coercive parenting practices have shown negative effects on executive functioning. These findings underscore the importance of public policies and early interventions that support functional parenting practices as a strategy for promoting healthy development and self-regulation in childhood.